Members of the Iranian parliament attend a session to debate three nominations for cabinet ministerial portfolios in Tehran. Iran's conservative-dominated parliament on Tuesday approved three new government ministers named by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, despite mounting criticism of his repeated cabinet reshuffles.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Majlis (parliament) on Tuesday gave a vote of confidence to three ministers nominated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    Shamseddin Hosseini, who received 218 votes in favor, 29 against and 23 abstentions, became economy minister.

    Ali Kordan, who received 169 votes in favor, 64 against and 36 abstentions, became interior minister.

    Hamid Behbahani, who received 181 votes in favor, 51 against and 37 abstentions, became transportation minister.

    In a letter to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on July 29, President Ahmadinejad nominated Hosseini, Kordan and Behbahani as his candidates for the three key ministerial posts.

    Based on the Iranian law, every newly appointed minister has to gain the parliament's vote of confidence before being able to take up his post officially.  

Iran's Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani listens as Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (none pictured) speaks to lawmakers in the Iranian parliament in Tehran August 5, 2008. Ahmadinejad introduced his candidates, Ali Kordan as Interior Ministry, Hamid Behbahani as Roads and transport and Shamseddin Hosseini as Economy and Finance. Ali Kordan, who received 169 votes in favor, 64 against and 36 abstentions, became interior minister.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>