This column features excerpts from the editorials, commentaries, and news articles of the leading Iranian newspapers.

Wednesday’s headlines
KAYHAN: Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani elected as new chairman of the Assembly of Experts
HEMAYAT: Libyan protesters say big ‘no’ to mad dictator
JAME JAM: Leader insists on dealing firmly with land-grabbers
KHORASAN: President unveils the country’s comprehensive scientific plan
HAMSHAHRI: Construction of largest city park in south Tehran
TEHRAN-E EMROOZ: Installing airbags becomes obligatory from next year (which starts March 21)
SHARQ: The two who chanted offensive slogans against Fa’ezeh Hashemi (daughter of Rafsanjani) identified
QODS: Leader says government and Majlis must give priority to protection of environment
FARHIKHTEGAN: Sultan Qaboos sacks another 12 ministers
TAFAHOM: Neighbor countries’ presidents to participate in Norooz (New Year) festivities in Iran
IRAN: Details of new registration for receiving cash subsidy released
JAVAN: European jihadists take part in construction of Khuzestan Province
Leading articles
EBTEKAR in an editorial says Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is not the chairman of “Assembly of Experts” any longer as last month the media outlets did not mention his name as “temporary Friday prayer of Tehran.” In an historical gesture he withdrew from the list of candidacy in favor of Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani thus avoiding differences may emerge in the society by opportunists. This important decision was adopted by Rafsanjani in a situation that his opponents had planned a widespread coordination to put him aside and Hashemi knew well. In his speech he said:”In the last few days, a controversial atmosphere had been created for the chairmanship of Assembly of Experts and I found that this move is very harmful for the system. I felt it is dangerous and so I thought I could resolve the problem.” In the early fourth decade of revolution, some political activists in the country could not tolerate the presence of Rafsanjani at the helm of executive and political power, including the Assembly of experts. Hashemi has always been considered as one of the most influential political figures in 1980s, 1990s and the first half of 2010.