Iraq's oil exports hit lowest level since war

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraq's exports of oil hit their lowest level in December since the war, as the country's oil minister resigned in the wake of protests and riots over soaring gas prices and lengthening lines at the pump. Only 34.4 million barrels were exported in December, or about 1.1 million barrels per day, the lowest average since Iraq resumed exports after the US-led invasion in March 2003, according to figures released Monday. Almost all the oil was exported from Iraq's southern oil terminals because of continuing sabotage of the country's northern oil facilities. On Monday, Iraq resumed exports from its southern oil field after more than a week of bad weather and a lack of tugboats to handle tankers, an official who could not be identified for security reasons told Dow Jones newswires.