Reuters: Oil Minister, Shahristani offered new position in Iraqi government

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The politicians said that the Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani was offered a senior post in the next government to oversee energy policy in Iraq, which may mean that he will leave his current position as oil minister.He said lawmakers are close to the talks said al-Shahristani – a key architect of oil deals could push Iraq to the ranks of power the world’s oil – has not decided whether to accept the new post of deputy prime minister for energy or remain as oil minister.

Not yet been determined the powers of the new position where is still debated within the Shiite coalition of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and may need the consent of the other political blocs.

The politicians said al-Shahristani, wants to make sure that it will have sufficient authority to influence the affairs of Iraq’s energy if he left the Oil Ministry.

And will oversee the new deputy prime minister and the ministries of oil, electricity, transport and perhaps a new portfolio of investments. It was not clear after authorities and the oil minister, if it gave the deputy prime minister more authority.

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