BAGHDAD Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has sworn in a new chairman of the Electricity Commission, newspapers reported on Wednesday.

Sahban Faisel Mahjoob replaces Salah Kzair in the post, which is the equivalent of a ministerial position.

The newspapers quoted Saddam as urging the new chairman and his staff to work hard to improve the power supply in Iraq.

Iraq suffers power shortages because its national grid was heavily bombed by U.S.-led multinational forces during the 1991 Persian Gulf War over Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. The power cuts increase sharply in summer when temperatures soar.

Iraqi officials say power generating systems are working at less than half capacity, adding that even that level will be unsustainable if spare parts purchased under the oil-for-food program do not arrive in time.

The oil deal signed with the United Nations allows Iraq to sell oil to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods for the Iraqi people affected by UN sanctions imposed because of Baghdad's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

(Reuter)