Iraq Oil Minister: Oil exports unaffected by Basra protests

Iraq’s Oil Minister, Jabbar al-Luaibi said that Iraq’s oil exports had not been affected by protests in the southern province of Basra.

“The recent events in Basra did not affect the production and export operations, and they continued at their monthly rates,” al-Luaibi told reporters on Sunday.

The minister pointed out that security forces took measures to protect the oil fields and foreign employees during security unrest over the past days.

The province of Basra produces about 80 per cent of the country’s oil and has the only port used for oil export.

The southern province of Basra has witnessed for months, angry protests demanding improved services and employment which led to confrontations with the security forces; resulted in deaths and injuries.

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