Iran nominees defended

IRAN’s president defended his proposed cabinet ministers against accusations by lawmakers that they don’t have the necessary qualifications and are simply unquestioning loyalists.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s appearance before parliament marked the beginning of what is likely to be a contentious confirmation process for the 21 cabinet nominees that is scheduled to end with a vote tomorrow.

Reformist lawmakers led the attack yesterday, criticising the background of many of the cabinet picks and also the president’s lack of a detailed plan to improve the country’s economy.