Iran lawmakers reject president's minister pick

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s parliament has rejected a close ally of President Hassan Rouhani for a ministerial post.

In a vote Sunday, 141 out of 261 lawmakers present voted against Reza Salehi Amiri, who Rouhani nominated as sports and youth minister.

Opponents said Salehi Amiri lacked experience for the post, mismanaged other positions he served in and had a role in unrest after the country’s 2009 presidential election. Salehi Amiri, a member of Rouhani’s presidential campaign, denied all the allegations.

Rouhani will have to propose a new nominee for the post in two weeks.

Lawmakers approved two other of Rouhani’s ministerial choices Sunday. They confirmed Reza Faraji Dana as science, research and technology minister and Ali Asghar Fani as education minister.