Iran approves Ahmadinejad backed candidate Salehi as Foreign Minister

Tehran, Jan 31 (ANI): Iran's parliament has reportedly approved President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's choice of Ali Akbar Salehi as the country's next foreign minister.

Salehi had been in a caretaker role at the foreign ministry after Ahmadinejad abruptly sacked his predecessor Manouchehr Mottaki while he was on a diplomatic mission to Senegal.

The Scotsman quoted Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani as saying that of 294 seats, 243 MPs were present for the vote yesterday, adding: "Salehi secured the vote of confidence from the legislative body by getting 146 votes."

Ahmadinejad was earlier criticised by lawmakers over his decision to sack Mottaki, and had accused him of concentrating power in his own hands. (ANI)