Choice of Iranian premier a shoo-in with the Majlis

The Iranian Majlis (parliament) overwhelmingly apporved President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr's appointment of Education Minister Muhammad Ali Rajai, a Muslim fundamentalist, as prime minister of Iran Monday. The vote at the open session of the Islamic consultative assembly was 153 votes in favor of Rajai, 24 against , and 19 abstentions.

The endorsement of Mr. Rajai clears the way for the prime minister to begin forming a new government, also requiring the approval of the house. The seeting up of a new governmet is regarded as an essential prerequisite to any action by the Majlis on the fate of the 52 American hostages held since Nov. 4