Fate of hostages in limbo as Iran writhes in turmoil By United Press Iniernattooal Ayatollah RuhoBah Khomeini refused Tuesday to help choose a new prime minister for Iran, deepening the coun- try's political chaos and delaying still further a decision on the 52 American hostages now in their 2S3th day of captivity, reports from Tehran said. President Abolhassan Bani-Sad- r, forced Monday to with- draw his nominee for prime minister, also seemed likely to lose Foreign Minister Sadegh Ghotbzadeh, who was report- ed to have declared his usefulness in his post ended after an angry mob demonstrated against him, He denied reports he had resigned and was seeking politi- cal asylum in theUnited States or France. Khomeini gave Parliament the responsibility of deciding the future of the hostages but infighting between the moder-at-e Bani-Sad-r and the majority Islamic revolutionaries over Egypt buries the deposed Shah of Iran. Story, Page ISA. a prime minister has persistently held up debate. Iranian sources in Paris who are in contact with persons inside the Iranian government said there was a secret Par-- I liament meeting Monday at which Bani-Sa- dr was told his choice for prime minister would be rejected and Ghotbza-- I deh was denounced for frequent junkets abroad. I The sources said Parliament which has responsibility 1 for naming a prime minister and a new cabinet told Bani- - Sadr that national police chief Mostafa Mir-Sali-m, bis nomi- - I nee for premier, was not acceptable. I Bani-Sad-r withdrew the nomination and it was agreed a I special panel of representatives- - of Khomeini, the president 1 and Parliament would work out agreement on the govern-- ment. s? But Khomeini sent word Tuesday morning he would not j become involved, saying it was not his role to take part in political processes, the sources said. Tehran Radio quoted j Khomeini's office as saying the matter was "the concern of I the president and Parliament." I The sources said Ghotbzadeh was ordered to the secret meeting to explain his conduct of foreign affairs, but refused i to appear. ' Tuesday morning demonstrators protested at his office. There were some reports a mob broke into the ministry and held Ghotbzadeh prisoner for a time, but the Paris sources said they could not confirm this. I The foreign minister, a moderate in the Iranian context I who was appointed to his post by Khomeini to replace Bam- - I Sadr last Nov. 23, telephoned the president later, the sources said. 1 Although a formal resignation was not mentioned in the report, be was said to have told Bani-Sa- dr his usefulness 1i was at an end and that he no longer considered himself as I occupying the post.