Kuwait's energy minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah on Saturday was quoted as saying he welcomes the formation of a parliamentary committee to probe a Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) contract to supply US firm Halliburton with fuel for the US army in Iraq.
After meeting with Sheikh Ahmad, parliamentarian Ali al-Rashed told reporters the minister had said he would submit an official request to the cabinet to vote in favour of forming the committee which would hold vast powers.
"Minister al-Fahd will ask the council of ministers officially to vote in favour of forming the parliamentary committee," he said.
A US draft audit has found evidence that a subsidiary of Halliburton, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR), may have overcharged by $61 million for bringing oil and gas products into Iraq via Kuwaiti subcontractor, Altanmia Commercial Marketing Co.
Angered by Sheikh Ahmad's referral of the case to public prosecution, saying the move was not enough, MPs said they themselves want to investigate any possible waste of public funds as well as whether any officials profited from the deal.
Sheikh Ahmad last Friday denied allegations of corruption in the deal and any misuse of power or tampering with public funds.
Kuwait's powerful parliament will vote on whether to establish the investigation committee during its next meeting later this month.
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