Larijani vets Cabinet picks

TEHRAN, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Lawmakers are examining the ideology and revolutionary background of Cabinet ministers for the next administration, the Iranian speaker of Parliament said.

Ali Larijani, the Iranian speaker of Parliament, said lawmakers are analyzing the Cabinet ministers proposed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week against the backdrop of "the country's current situation," the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting network reports.

Ahmadinejad submitted his list of Cabinet ministers to the Iranian Parliament for approval last week. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the picks Sunday.

Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Larijani's deputy, said lawmakers would reject "about five" of the 11 Cabinet picks.

The Cabinet picks are controversial both in Tehran and internationally. The nomination of Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as the next defense minister was condemned, as the former military commander is wanted by Interpol for his role in the bombing of a Jewish center in Argentina in 1994 that killed 85 people.

Larijani said every lawmaker is obliged by the Iranian Constitution to comment on national interests concerning the Cabinet picks.

"Parliament spends its time on essential issues, and we have announced this to the respected President during several consultations that it focuses on ideological accuracy, revolutionary background and the effectiveness of the proposed ministers," he said.