Iraq oil minister to stay
Najaf, Iraq: Four Iraqi ministries will be affected by a planned cabinet reshuffle, but the oil minister, whose future has been the subject of behind-the-scenes speculation, will stay on, the prime minister said.
"There will be minor changes to four ministries that will be announced soon," said Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki. Asked whether the Oil Ministry would be among them, he said "No".
Maliki made the remarks after visiting Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. Oil Minister Hussein Al Shahristani is seen as a close ally of Sistani.
Shahristani, due to attend an Opec meeting in Vienna on September 11, was criticised by some politicians for failing to tackle a fuel shortage crisis efficiently.
The cabinet reshuffle, which will include the Transport Ministry, will need parliamentary approval. Parliament reconvenes from summer recess on Tuesday.
Almost all of Iraq's income comes from its oil exports. Iraq has the third largest proven oil reserves in the world.
From Trade Arabia
"There will be minor changes to four ministries that will be announced soon," said Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki. Asked whether the Oil Ministry would be among them, he said "No".
Maliki made the remarks after visiting Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. Oil Minister Hussein Al Shahristani is seen as a close ally of Sistani.
Shahristani, due to attend an Opec meeting in Vienna on September 11, was criticised by some politicians for failing to tackle a fuel shortage crisis efficiently.
The cabinet reshuffle, which will include the Transport Ministry, will need parliamentary approval. Parliament reconvenes from summer recess on Tuesday.
Almost all of Iraq's income comes from its oil exports. Iraq has the third largest proven oil reserves in the world.
From Trade Arabia
posted by iraqnam at 1:51 PM
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