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Iranian Clerics Question Nomination of Women Ministers


A conservative Iranian lawmaker says some senior clerics want President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to reconsider his nomination of three women for his new cabinet.

Lawmaker Mohammad Taqi Rahbar heads the clerical faction in Iran's conservative-dominated parliament.

He said it is an innovative idea to choose women as ministers, but that there are what he called "religious uncertainties" about women when it comes to management. He says the government should consider these.

Mr. Ahmadinejad named Fatemah Ajorlu as minister of welfare and social security, Marziyeh Vahid-Dastjerdi as minister of health and Susan Keshavarz as minister of education.

Iranian lawmakers have warned they may challenge President Ahmadinejad's picks for his new cabinet. Parliament must approve his nominees.

Mr. Ahmadinejad won a second term as president in an election in June. His re-election was fiercely disputed, and sparked massive opposition protests that led security forces to detain thousands.

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