BAGHDAD- Iraq has awarded the Gilabat-Qumar exploration block in Diayala province near the border with Iran to United Arab Emirates-based Crescent Petroleum, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said on Thursday.

Crescent Petroleum was the lowest bidder with 9.21 percent remuneration before tax. The maximum set by the oil ministry was 16.65 percent, Luaibi said.

Iraq is offering 11 new blocks for exploration in border areas with Iran and Kuwait and in offshore Gulf waters.

(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by Jason Neely) ((ahmed.aboulenein@thomsonreuters.com; +964 790 191 7021; Reuters Messaging: ahmed.aboulenein.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))