ehran, April 18, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday introduced two new ministers to the Majlis (parliament) for approval.

In a letter to the Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, President Khatami named Safdar Hosseini as the new minister of finance and economic affairs.

He also designated Nasser Khaleqi to take over the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs which is now headed by Safdar Hosseini.

If approved by the Majlis representatives, Hosseini, the present minister of labour and social affairs, would replace Tahmasb Mazaheri whose new position has not been announced yet.

However, Khaleqi now a Member of Parliament from Isfahan province, would replace Hosseini as the new minister of labour and social affairs.

Cabinet reshuffle aimed at coordination, unity: VP

Tehran, April 18, IRNA -- Vice-President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Ali Abtahi said here Sunday the cabinet reshuffle will be implemented for the sake of coordination and unity.

Talking to parliamentary reporters, Abtahi said the government has faced serious problems due to lack of coordination between ministry of economy and finance and Management and Planning Organization (MPO).

He rejected the claims that the economy minister and the MPO head had been not aware of their dismissal, and said they knew the issue.

Asked why the cabinet reshuffle should take place on the last year of President Mohammad Khatami's tenure, the VP stressed, "The government needs coordination and unity in the last year."

Abtahi said this change would be the last one in President Khatami's cabinet, stressing that Interior Minister Abdolvahed Moussavi Lari will hold his portfolio.

Despite Khatami's respect for the two bodies, a change can speed up the results of the government's efforts, he noted.

The vice-president expressed hope the Sixth Majlis would give vote of confidence to the proposed ministers.

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