Kuwaiti candidate has widespread support for top OPEC job, sources say | Reuters

Kuwaiti candidate has widespread support for top OPEC job, sources say | Reuters

Kuwait's candidate to lead the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has widespread support from the group, with current secretary general Mohammad Barkindo not expected to seek re-election, two sources told Reuters.

Haitham al-Ghais, a former Kuwaiti governor to OPEC, is the only candidate for the role of secretary general, the two sources added.

OPEC is expected to elect a new secretary general at its meeting on Jan. 4, a third source said.

Nigerian Barkindo, whose is due to step down at the end of next July, took OPEC's top job in mid-2016 and was granted a second three-year term in 2019.