TEHRAN - Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati has advised MPs that the people’s interests should be their only criterion in the confirmation votes on nominees for the new cabinet.

“The (proposed) cabinet has been introduced… but the Majlis has a responsibility to only take the people’s interests into consideration… and political motivations and grudges should have no place in this affair,” the Guardian Council secretary told worshipers at Friday prayers in Tehran.
On August 19, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled the names of 21 nominees for ministerial posts in his new administration.
Three women are among the nominees. They would become the first female ministers in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran if they are approved by the parliament, which has one week to assess the qualifications of the cabinet nominees.
Jannati also praised the remarks by newly appointed Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, who vowed on Monday to show no leniency toward lawbreakers and anyone who violates civil rights.
“Nobody should dare to make a ruling against the law or to violate civil rights, and such persons should be aware that sooner or later they will be brought to justice, and in this important position I will not show leniency toward any of them,” Larijani stated on the sidelines of a ceremony held to welcome him to his new post.
“We expect… you (Larijani) to stay the course… but you should be aware that administering justice comes at a price, especially if you want to confront big shots,” Jannati added.
Although a number of people involved in the post-election unrest were arrested, the main instigators have not been arrested and punished yet, he noted.
“Why should those who were the (unrest) leaders but who have connections remain free… Someone should tell their connection to allow them to go on trial so he can salvage his reputation,” he added