Gov’t backs Shahristani in oil row with KRG

Iraqi government spokesman Ali Dabbagh told a press conference Wednesday the two dozen oil deals the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) signed with international oil companies will be considered "illegal" until approval by the Iraq Oil Ministry.

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, who joined Dabbagh at the press conference, said it is up to the KRG to pay the companies for the work done under contract.