Minister questioning moved up to Nov. 10

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani will attend a Nov. 10 questioning in Parliament instead of the previously scheduled Nov. 11, which the minister was not planning to attend, sparking controversy.

Shahristani is planning to visit Mecca with his wife Nov. 11, according to an oil ministry source. It was rumored that the minister would avoid the questioning altogether, which prompted some members of Parliament's Oil & Gas Committee - which called for the query - to threaten repercussions. Jabir Khalifa Jabir, the secretary of the committee, said this would include a vote of no confidence.