Iraqi Kurds Sign Four Oil Deals

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq has announced four new oil exploration deals with international energy companies. The news is likey to upset the central government in Baghdad and the United States. Both have been pressing the Kurds to hold off negotiations until national oil and gas laws for opening up Iraqi's energy wealth are in place.

Sunnis End Boycott Of Iraqi Parliament

Sunni legislators returned to Iraq's parliament July 20, after a five-week boycott, raising hopes the assembly can make progress on power sharing bills demanded by Washington before the lawmakers take a month's break. Nut the return of the Sunnis and the hard-line Shiite faction loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Mugtada al-Sadr could also signal problems for many of the bills, including the oil law, which is a top U.S. priority. The 44 members of the Iraqi Accordance Front attended the parliament session after striking a deal with the Shiites and Kurds to reinstate the Sunni speaker. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who was ousted by the Shiite dominated assembly last month for erratic behavior.