(Sources: Reuters, Financial Times)

Reuters reports that Iraqi Oil Minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, has taken over the electricity portfolio after the electricity minister resigned over protests against power shortages in the sweltering heat of summer, the Oil Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Karim Waheed stepped down as electricity minister after demonstrations triggered by power cuts, claiming two lives in the southern city of Basra, where police opened fire on protesters.

Shahristani would take on the power portfolio on a caretaker basis as acting minister, Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad told Reuters.