Shahristani ends government boycott

Former Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain al-Shahristani and his Mustaqiloun political bloc announced they would end a boycott of the new government Thursday.

Shahristani was the leader of Iraq's oil policy under former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, but played an instrumental role in helping newly elected Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi displace his predecessor. Despite that key support, Shahristani lost the energy portfolio. and in consolation was named Minister of Higher Education.