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Iraqi cabinet backs draft oil law Iraqi cabinet backs draft oil law
(29 minutes later)
The Iraqi government has approved an amended draft law on how to share the country's oil wealth, officials say. Iraq's government has approved an amended draft law on how to share the country's oil wealth, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said.
Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki described the law as the "most important law in Iraq", and said it would be debated in parliament on Wednesday. Mr Maliki said the bill, which will now be passed to parliament to be debated, was the "most important law in Iraq".
There are no details of changes to the draft law, demanded by Kurdish groups.There are no details of changes to the draft law, demanded by Kurdish groups.
Correspondents say distribution of oil revenues is a key concern for Sunni Arab groups, who live in areas which are mostly without oil reserves.Correspondents say distribution of oil revenues is a key concern for Sunni Arab groups, who live in areas which are mostly without oil reserves.
Oil ministry spokesman Assim Jihad said different groups had "varied views on the role of the state-run oil company, the ministry, and on discovered and undiscovered oil fields".
He added that all of these elements would be addressed during parliamentary debate, although no definite date has yet been set.
US push
The original draft, approved by the cabinet in February, stipulated that a state oil company would take control of oilfields away from regional governments.The original draft, approved by the cabinet in February, stipulated that a state oil company would take control of oilfields away from regional governments.
But Kurdish organisations said such moves were unconstitutional.But Kurdish organisations said such moves were unconstitutional.
The Iraqi oil industry has been stuck for the last couple of years Manoucher TakinCentre for Global Energy Studies What happened to the oil? Baghdad's petrol crisisThe Iraqi oil industry has been stuck for the last couple of years Manoucher TakinCentre for Global Energy Studies What happened to the oil? Baghdad's petrol crisis
They reached agreement with the government in June that the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan would receive 17% of all oil revenues.They reached agreement with the government in June that the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan would receive 17% of all oil revenues.
The United States has been pressing Iraq to pass an oil law, as part of several legislative measures to promote reconciliation among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups. However, a BBC correspondent in Baghdad reports that senior Kurdish officials say not all aspects of the bill have yet been finalised and agreed.
Iraq's known oil reserves have been estimated at 115 billion barrels, but production has fallen since the US invasion from 3.5 million to two million. In addition, parliamentary boycotts by members of the main Sunni political bloc and by followers of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr could delay any debate and approval of the bill.
The US has been pressing Iraq to pass an oil law, as part of efforts to promote reconciliation among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups.
Iraq's known oil reserves have been estimated at 115 billion barrels, but production has fallen drastically since the US-led invasion on 2003.
'Intense attack''Intense attack'
News of the draft law came as the US military said it was investigating the alleged killing of 10 civilians in air strikes on insurgents in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya. News of the draft law came as the US military said it was investigating the alleged killing of 10 civilians in air strikes on insurgents in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya to see whether "proportionate force" was used.
The US said it was targeting a suspected source of mortar fireThe US said it was targeting a suspected source of mortar fire
F-16 fighter planes bombed a street in the city on Monday after militants reportedly fired up to 75 mortars and rockets at the Camp Echo coalition military base.F-16 fighter planes bombed a street in the city on Monday after militants reportedly fired up to 75 mortars and rockets at the Camp Echo coalition military base.
"Coalition forces are reviewing the incident to ensure that appropriate and proportionate force was used in responding to the intense attack," the US military's statement said.
Separately, the US said 23 insurgents were killed in a weekend operation in the western Anbar province.Separately, the US said 23 insurgents were killed in a weekend operation in the western Anbar province.
US-led forces there said they found militants preparing for suicide attacks in the province's capital Ramadi. US-led forces there said they found militants preparing for suicide attacks in the provincial capital, Ramadi.
Meanwhile two US pilots were slightly hurt when their helicopter was shot down by enemy fire near Baghdad. Two US pilots were also slightly hurt when their helicopter was shot down by enemy fire near Baghdad.
After the incident, a US warplane destroyed the wreckage of the aircraft with two laser guided bombs.After the incident, a US warplane destroyed the wreckage of the aircraft with two laser guided bombs.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Human Rights Watch issued a report detailing torture and abuses at security facilities in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq
  • Human Rights Watch issued a report detailing torture and abuses at security facilities in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq
  • Two US troops died in an accident during combat operations in Anbar on Sunday
  • Two US troops died in an accident during combat operations in Anbar on Sunday
  • A car bomb targeting a police patrol in the northern oil city of Kirkuk killed two and injured at least nine people
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  • A car bomb targeting a police patrol in the northern oil city of Kirkuk killed two and injured at least nine people.