Oil Ministry spokesman removed after fuel crisis backlash

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq’s Oil Ministry has removed spokesman Sahib Buzun from his post and appointed a new spokesman, according to a report from Baghdad. The decision followed repeated failures in recent statements about the country’s gasoline crisis, the source said. The same source said Oil Minister Buzun ended the spokesman’s duties but kept the ministry’s media office under his own authority. It said the new spokesman was chosen from the ministry’s economic unit. The move was described as consistent with Prime Minister Ali Zeydi’s approach to reorganizing media offices. The source also said the government plans to import fuel from the United Arab Emirates and expects technical problems at some refineries to be resolved. Buzun had previously denied there was a gasoline shortage, saying the congestion was caused by higher demand and holiday travel. His comments drew criticism as long vehicle lines formed across Iraq.