Ahmad Chalabi takes over Iraq oil ministry
BAGHDAD, Apr 28 (Reuters) Iraq failed to name an oil minister for its new government today and controversial politician Ahmad Chalabi was appointed acting minister of an industry plagued by sabotage attacks and uncertainty.
Chalabi, speaking to Reuters by telephone shortly after his appointment, said he might only be in the job for ''a short time'' but he pledged to work to ensure smooth exports and honour contracts struck by the previous government.
With the oil market anxious to see Iraq move towards stability and offer steady crude supplies, Chalabi said: ''There will not be abrupt changes. My focus will be stability.'' His comments came as the State Oil Marketing Organisation prepared to negotiate crude oil sales volumes of some 1.5 million barrels per day for the second half of 2005.
Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, whose government list was approved by parliament today, has vowed to make permanent appointments swiftly to several ministries for which he tapped acting ministers, such as oil and defence.
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