Iraqi oil minister under fire in Basra

BASRA, Iraq, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Political debate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra is focused not on parliamentary elections, but on the tenure of Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani.

Iraqi lawmakers are debating over the nuances of an amended election law. A possible veto by Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi threatens to derail plans for a January parliamentary vote.

But in the southern port city of Basra, where much of the national oil wealth derives, the debate is over how well Shahristani is doing his job, reports Iraq's Azzaman daily.

Lawmakers called the minister in for questioning most recently on Nov. 9, when he faced tough questioning over corruption and declines in oil revenue.

Apart from those concerns, Shahristani faced challenges to his authority by Kurdish leaders who continue to strike oil deals in defiance of his ministry.

The streets of Basra, which is accountable for 46.3 billion barrels of oil exports in October, are lined with demonstrators rallying in favor or in opposition of the minister, the report says.

If lawmakers summon Shahristani when he returns from his pilgrimage to Mecca, the situation could turn violent among oil workers in Basra fields, Azzaman warns.

The turmoil comes as Iraq prepares for its second round of international auctions in December.