RPT-Kurdistan says to continue to deal with oil firms

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LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The Kurdistan regional government said on Tuesday it will continue to sign contracts with oil companies despite threats from Baghdad to cut exports due to a dispute over their legality. Top energy official Ashti Hawrami said the regional government "has not stopped" negotiating with foreign oil companies on exploration deals.

The federal government said it has halted oil supplies to Austria's OMV AG (OMVV.VI: Quote, Profile, Research) and South Korea's SK Energy (096770.KS: Quote, Profile, Research) in response to what it says are illegal oil exploration deals. (Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Anthony Barker)