(Tbilisi, August 4, 2003, Civil Georgia) – President Shevardnadze welcomes the appointment of Ilham Aliyev, President Heidar Aliyev’s son, as Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.
“I believe that Ilham Aliyev will foster the implementation of a successful political course, which was started by Heidar Aliyev,” a letter of congratulation sent by President Shevardnadze says.
An overwhelming majority of MPs backed the appointment, which paves the way for Ilham Aliyev to succeed his father as President.
Opposition members, who boycotted the session, have called on the 80-!
year-old President, who is in hospital in Turkey, to resign if he cannot prove he is well enough to govern.
Ilham Aliyev and his father are both registered as candidates in the presidential elections which are due to be held in October.
Under Azeri law, the Prime Minister would assume power in case of the President becoming too ill to govern until elections could be held.
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