Tehran, September 02, SPA -- Iran's supreme leader announced a new chief for the country's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari as the new commander and promoted him to major general, a statement released by the Revolutionary Guard said. Until now, Jafari has been commander of the guard's ground forces. "This news will come as a surprise to many in Tehran," said CNN's Aneesh Raman. "The top position hasn't been touched for almost a decade."--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/479299