Iranian Lawmakers Submit Letter Criticizing Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad

A group of Iranian lawmakers has submitted a letter to the parliament speaker criticizing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

The move, the first against Ahmadinejad during his seven-year presidency, could open up impeachment procedures if it is approved by a majority of the 290-member parliament.

The 21 legislators submitted the letter to speaker Ali Larijani for what they described as the president's "ridiculing of the Majlis [parliament]."

Ahmadinejad, whose supporters lost seats in March's parliamentary elections, has received strong criticism from deputies, who accuse him of bypassing the legislature and passing laws without their authorization.

The unprecented letter against Ahmadinejad comes amid waning support for him inside the country.