Iran: Victory for Ahmadinejad over new foreign minister

Iran's parliament has narrowly approved president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's choice of Ali Akbar Salehi as foreign minister, after his predecessor was abruptly sacked last year.

The MPs' verdict on Mr Salehi yesterday is seen as a test of the hardline president's support in parliament, after his disputed re-election in 2009 caused a rift among hardline rulers.

"Salehi secured the vote of confidence from the legislative body by getting 146 votes," parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said. Parliament has 294 seats and 243 MPs were present for the vote yesterday.

The vote in favour of Mr Salehi will be a relief to Mr Ahmadinejad, who has faced growing criticism from MPs who accuse him of concentrating power in his own hands.

Mr Mottaki is seen as a close ally of Mr Ahmadinejad's conservative rival Larijani, who has criticised economic policies.