Iran’s Parliament on Thursday strongly backed a cabinet proposed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that includes the Islamic republic’s first woman minister and a man wanted for bombing a Jewish community centre in Argentina.

The conservative-dominated assembly approved 18 of 21 nominees, propelling Ahmadinejad into his second term at a time when the Islamic republic is battling its worst crisis since the hardliner’s re-election in June. The candidates who failed to garner the required majority of votes were the two other women proposed and the would-be Energy Minister.

In a move highlighting Iran’s often maverick status in the world, nearly 80 per cent of lawmakers approved Ahmad Vahidi — who is wanted by Argentina for a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires — as Defence Minister.

Following the vote, Vahidi said his selection, which was by a far greater margin than any other, was a “decisive slap to Israel”, an arch-enemy of the country.

The first woman to join a cabinet in the Islamic republic will be Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, at the Health Ministry.

The other two women, Sousan Keshvaraz and Fatemeh Ajorlou, fell short of the required number of votes to take over at education and at welfare and social security.

Oil Ministry nominee Masoud Mirkazemi, who is set to head the crucial portfolio of OPEC’s second largest exporter, barely squeaked by after being harshly criticised by a powerful conservative MP.

The voting took place after five days of heated debate saw some key nominees strongly opposed by MPs, yet approved in the end.

... contd.