The reason we’re still there…..and will continue to be there.

Iraq’s oil minister says a long-awaited draft oil and gas law has been sent to parliament for approval.
The bill, seen as crucial in regulating how oil wealth is divided among Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups, received cabinet backing in February.

A dispute between central government and autonomous Kurdistan over control of the oil has delayed its submission.

The minister, Hussein Shahristani, said political groups had agreed to try to pass the law by the end of May.

“The KRG (Kurdish Regional Government) is not opposed to the draft law… they are very happy with the draft law,” Mr Shahristani said.

There was no immediate response from Kurdish officials.

The move comes on the eve of a key international conference on Iraq in Egypt, where diplomats from industrialised countries and regional powers will discuss security and reconstruction.

Representatives are expected to endorse the International Compact for Iraq, a five-year plan that grants foreign support in exchange for reforms.

More at BBC

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