Parliament debates Ahmadinejad's remaining ministers

Iran's parliament (Majlis) has started debating the qualifications of the three remaining members of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 21-member cabinet.

The three ministries of education, welfare and energy have been left to caretakers for more than two months, after lawmakers rejected the president's proposed candidates in an early September vote.

In his speech to the session, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the Principlist dominant Majlis to approve the ministers, as they "possess all the qualifications needed to succeed in their [prospective] positions."

Current lawmaker, Hamid-Reza Haji-Babaei has been nominated for the education ministry while Majid Namjou has been nominated as the president's leading choice for the ministry of energy.

Sadegh Mahsouli, Iran's interior minster in President Ahmadinejad's first administration has been also nominated as the country's welfare minster.

President Ahmadinejad submitted his final list of 21 candidates for his cabinet on August 19. After five days of often bitter debate, the Majlis approved 18 out of 21 of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Cabinet picks.

Lawmaker Zohre Elahiyan said the three remaining candidates are likely to be approved, as they "have good record of efficiency and can be successful in their ministries."