LOC00:53
21:53 GMT
BAGHDAD, July 23 (KUNA) -- An oil tanker carrying gas oil donated by State of Kuwait to operate power stations arrived at Basra port on Monday, an official in Iraq's Ports Authority confirmed.
Oil tanker Chance arrived at Basra Port tonight coming from Kuwait's Ahmadi Port, carrying 18,000 tons of gas oil, Anmar Al-Safi, director of the authority's public relations, said in a statement to KUNA.
The oil supply is taking place upon instructions of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which would be used to operate power stations, he added.
Iran severed 1,000 megawatts of electricity supply to Iraq at the beginning of July due to piling unpaid arrears, which affected supply in Thi Qar, Basra and Maysan governorates.
The power outage coupled with poor services and unemployment triggered protests in these governorates.
Kuwait was also providing 17 mobile power generators as well as fresh water supplies. (end)
ahh.bs