Iranian military chief resigns

Teheran radio says Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has accepted the resignation of the armed forces' commander, General Ali Shahbazi.

The radio said he was replaced by General Mohammad Salimi.

No further details were given, and there was no explanation about why General Sahbazi had stepped down.

Correspondents say the general who is sixty, had not attended official ceremonies for several months and they quoted Iranian military sources as saying he had been ill.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service