TEHRAN – In a decree on Thursday, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Majid Ansari, a former veteran lawmaker and vice president for parliamentary affairs, as his deputy for legal affairs.

“Based on Article 124 of the Constitution and given your competence and valuable experience in managerial and executive affairs, I appoint you as deputy president for legal affair,” Pezeshkian said in part of his decree.

Ansari, a pro-reform clergyman close to the Imam Khomeini family, is currently a member of the Expediency Council. He also served as vice president for parliamentary affairs in the administration of President Mohammad Khatami. Ansari also acted as President Hassan Rouhani’s legal deputy.

According to IRNA, Ansari started his work on Saturday at the presidential department for legal affair after visiting the shrine of Imam Khomeini along with President Pezeshkian and his other cabinet members.