Iraq says Kurd gas deal with Germany's RWE illegal

BAGHDAD Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Ministry said on Sunday the agreement Germany's RWE (RWEG.DE) signed with the Kurdish Regional Government, which included possible future gas supply for the Nabucco pipeline project, is illegal.

"The export of crude oil, gas and their derivatives are exclusively under the authority of the Oil Ministry of the central Government in Baghdad and State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO)," Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad said, reading a statement from the ministry.

"Any contracts signed outside of that legal framework are considered void and illegal."

On Friday, Germany's RWE said it had signed a gas cooperation agreement with Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government. [ID:nLDE67Q12H] (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Rania EL Gamal)