ERBIL, Iraq, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A draft oil and natural gas law in Iraq should be withdrawn because it contradicts the country's Constitution, the Kurdish government said.
Leaders from the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq blasted a draft oil and gas law backed by the federal government in Baghdad. Members of Parliament were asked by the Kurds to reject the measure.
"The presidency of the Kurdistan region condemns this maneuver and calls on the council of ministers to withdraw the draft immediately, because it contradicts the constitution," the Kurdish government said in a statement.
The Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in Baghdad have bickered over payments and revenue sharing. Despite simmering disputes, oil and gas companies continue to invest in Iraq.
The Kurds said a 50-page draft was presented only a day before lawmakers met, adding there was confusion over what was at stake.
"This was aimed at both fooling the members of the council of ministers (both those present and absent) and at disregarding political agreements," the Kurdish government said.
Iraq secured a natural gas deal with Royal Dutch Shell and Mitsubishi this week. Preparations are under way for another round of auctions for energy companies in January.
