Revolutionary elected Speaker in Iran

TEHERAN, MAY 30. Iran's new pro-reform Parliament elected a veteran revolutionary cleric to the post of Speaker today, subject to confirmation.

The unopposed choice of Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, a mid- ranking Shia Muslim cleric and leading leftist figure, headed off a potentially divisive fight within the pro-reform camp.

Parliament, which was elected in March and April, opened on Saturday and is widely expected to boost the President, Mr. Mohammad Khatami's movement for political and social change.

Mr. Karroubi secured 186 votes in the 290-seat chamber. While 60 MPs abstained, some of the seats remain vacant until future runoffs.

Deputies said he was certain to be confirmed once the credentials of the members of the chamber were debated and approved.

Two other revolutionaries, both from the previous Parliament, were appointed as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Mr. Majid Ansari, a close ally of Mr. Karroubi, was appointed as first deputy, and Mr. Abolqassem Sarhadizadeh, a non-cleric labour union leader, as second.

The true test - and magnitude of the reformers' influence - will not be known until members vote on key issues.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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