Iran not to abandon post of OPEC secretary general

An Iranian source stated that his country intends to assume the post of OPEC secretary general and will not support any country that seeks to compete for the post after the end of the term of Nigeria's Rilwanu Lukma.

Meanwhile, Iran nominated its deputy at OPEC, Hussien Hazmour Ardibly, entering a competition with Saudi Arabia over the post.

Sources in OPEC said the two countries have discussed the possibility of reaching a compromise, through which OPEC's secretary general should be elected collectively by the eleven members.

Some of OPEC's monitors said that Algerian Minister of Mining and Power Youcef Yousfi could be a nominee. Last week, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said Yousfi would be a good secretary general.