Iraq accuses sanctions committee of obstructing the petroleum sector

Iraq has accused the UN sanctions committee of obstructing contracts it endorsed with international companies to import control systems and contracts with the petroleum sector.

The general manager for planning and studies in the Iraqi Petroleum Ministry, Faleh Hassan El-Khiat, said the needs of the petroleum sector for these systems and equipment increases day after day because of the continued US - British shelling against Iraq.

He added that the contracts in the petroleum sector are very important, as they are used not only for transforming information but for controlling operations, without which the operations cannot be safe or continued, saying that the committee has suspended 225 registered contracts.

Iraq completely depends on the exports according to the oil-for-food program to secure needed medicines, food and other humanitarian requirements.