Brother of Ahmadinejad rival becomes new chief judge

Cairo: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has nominated hard-line loyalists to his Cabinet as he seeks to tighten his grip on power in the face of unrelenting opposition over his disputed re-election.

Most notably, Sadeq Larijani was sworn in Monday as the head of the judiciary. Larijani is the brother of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, seen as the most prominent conservative rival of Ahmadinejad.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Sadeq Larijani suggested he may seek to prosecute security agents accused of abusing and torturing detainees during the postelection crackdown a move that could embarrass Ahmadinejad.

Conservative allies of Ahmadinejad have frequently clashed with the maverick, populist president, accusing him of hoarding power by handing out key posts to close associates.