Iraq Exxon deal 'to go ahead' ...

December 1, 2011

Exxon deal 'to go ahead'

Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region will go forward with its exploration deal with US oil major Exxon Mobil despite objections by the central government in Baghdad, the Kurdish president said yesterday.

Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki was told of the deal prior to its signing and had no objection, and called Baghdad's opposition unconstitutional.

"The contract is not unconstitutional. Yes, we have signed with Exxon Mobil according to the constitution ... the objection that we heard from some officials is what is unconstitutional," he said.

"We are committed to the deal and we will execute it without caring about what some officials in Baghdad say, which is against the constitution."

The US oil giant became the first major to move into the Kurdish region in mid-October when it signed with the KRG for six exploration blocks.

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