Iraq to withdraw candidacy for OPEC secretary-general
Iraq is to withdraw its candidate for OPEC secretary-general to make way for a Venezuelan candidate, as a way of
thanking that country for its president's recent visit to Iraq. "Iraqi President Saddam Hussein promised his
Venezuelan counterpart, during his visit to Baghdad, to withdraw the candidacy of Iraqi Abdel Amir al-Anbara in case
Caracas put forward a candidate for OPEC secretary-general," the London-based paper said, quoting sources who asked
not to be identified.
Saddam made the offer "in recognition of Venezuela's efforts to maintain the high level of crude prices and for
(Hugo) Chavez's visit to Iraq despite US protests," Al-Hayat said.
Nigerian Rilwanu Lukman was retained as secretary-general of OPEC last September after none of the three candidates
won unanimous approval. Those candidates were Iraq's Anbara, Iranian Hussein Kazempur Ardebili and Saudi Suleiman
al-Herbish.
The next elections will be held during the OPEC summit in Caracas in late September.
