Insight into Dawa oil thinking

BAGHDAD - A leading figure in the Iraqi prime minister's party supports a transition from political to a more technical, independent class of ministers, especially carrying the oil portfolio.

"The next period is very important for rebuilding Iraq and implementing big projects," said Haidar al-Abadi, a senior politician and spokesman in the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who stressed development of the oil sector is crucial to sustaining the development.