A confidante of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki claims there will be a shake-up in the oil and energy portfolio when the new cabinet positions are announced.
According to Iraq Oil Report, Hussain al-Shahristani will move from his current position as Minister for Oil and Acting Minister for Electricity, into a newly-created Deputy Prime Minister role with responsibility for oil and electricity issues.
This effectively creates an additional plum vacancy to be gifted as part of the negotiations between the rival blocs, while allowing Maliki's right-hand man to retain at least some control of this key function.
The report says Maliki targets to have cabinet positions decided by 15th December.
(Source: Iraq Oil Report)
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