Brahim had been sacked as presidential advisor the year before, after being convicted of possessing drugs and weapons.

He retired a lieutenant general in 1994 and was made a presidential scientific advisor.

He served as a senior presidential advisor to the president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Besides, his mind was made up to retire so he felt he no longer had to impress presidential advisors.

"Since when do congressmen steal seats out from under important presidential advisors?"

He has been described as a presidential advisor to George W. Bush in several media outlets.

He resigned as Finance Minister in July 2006 and instead became a special presidential advisor for free trade agreement affairs.

Then he served as a presidential advisor to Khatami from 2000 to 2005.

Toss in a senior presidential advisor who violated security.