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TEHRAN (AFP) — More than 200 conservative Iranian lawmakers lashed out on Wednesday at a top aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his controversial remarks that Iranians are "friends with Israelis."

The MPs issued a strongly-worded statement calling on Ahmadinejad to take action against his deputy, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie.

"Mr Mashaei does not have the right to take such a disgraceful stance and he is not competent to hold such a responsibility," according to the statement read out in parliament by one of the MPs.

"Condemning this regretful position, we deputies ask Dr Ahmadinejad to deal with him seriously," he told the 290-seat assembly.

Rahim Mashaie, vice president in charge of tourism, is one of Ahmadinejad's closest allies and earlier this year his daughter married the president's son.