Iraq transfers ownership of 9 state oil companies to new National Oil Company - spokesman

ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi issued a decree transferring the ownership of nine state-owned oil companies from the oil ministry to the newly-formed National Oil Company which he also heads, a ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

Luaibi took the decision in his capacity as National Oil Company chief, not minister, according to a statement by spokesman Asim Jihad. The decision will be "followed by others within the same framework," Jihad said.

(Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)