LOC13:48
10:48 GMT
BAGHDAD, July 1 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi Oil Ministry decided to hike prices of
fuel in response to calls by the International Monetary Fund and the Paris
Cub, an official said on Sunday.
The general manager of the company for distribution of oil derivatives,
Karim Jaafar, said in remarks to KUNA that the price of the top grade of fuel
was hiked to 450 dinars per liter, while the price of the fuel of lower grade
was put at 400 dpl.
The decision coindided with reports about riots at some fuel stations in
the towns of Al-Kut and the city of Basra in the south of Iraq.
Jaafar alluded the decision to hike the prices of the fuel to "pressures"
by the IMF and the Paris Club, adding that they urged the authorities to lift
subsidies on the oil bi-products. (end)
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