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Conservative clerics in Iran have criticised a proposal by re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to include three women in his new cabinet.

"There are religious doubts over the abilities of women when it comes to management," said hardline lawmaker Mohammad Taghi Rahbar.

He said his views were shared by many MPs from his clerics' faction, which dominates Iran's parliament.

The Islamic republic has not had female ministers since the 1979 revolution.

President Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term on 5 August after a disputed poll in June.

He unveiled his cabinet on Wednesday. MPs are expected to begin voting on a 21-member list at the end of the month.