Rumaila deal survives another court hearing

BAGHDAD - A final decision on a lawsuit that could put an immediate halt to the Iraqi government's oil sector development plans was delayed Monday until at least the end of March.

The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court has set March 29 as a deadline for government attorney's to respond to a seven-point technical assessment prepared by the attorney for Member of Parliament Sheda Musawi in its challenge to the legality of the Rumaila oilfield contract, signed by BP and the Chinese National Petroleum Corp. in November.