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Indian FM out amid Iraq probe

By United Press International

NEW DELHI, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh was relieved of his portfolio after his name surfaced in the report into corruption in the oil-for-food program.

"Minister for External Affairs K Natwar Singh today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and requested to be relieved of the External Affairs portfolio," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

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Singh is now minister without portfolio.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, no relation, is expected to handle foreign affairs, too.

The change came amid increasing pressure on the government to drop Singh after the publication of the Volcker report into the Iraq oil-for-food program. He was named a recipient of illegal kickbacks.

Earlier, Singh had refused to step down and maintained his innocence. He also said he would recommend to the federal government that it reverse its decision to vote in favor of a resolution seeking referral of Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council.

"My advice to the government would be to reverse its vote," Singh said, according to The Hindu newspaper Monday.

India previously voted to send the issue to the Security Council.

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