Iraq to resume oil exports

Iraq says it expects to resume oil exports within a week under the United Nations oil-for-food agreement.

The Iraqi Oil Minister, Amir Muahmmad Rasheed, speaking in Baghdad after talks with the Jordanian Energy Minister, Mohammed al-Houranisaid a distribution plan for food and other supplies had been agreed by Iraqi and UN officials last week, and had now been sent for approval to the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Iraq suspended oil exports earlier this month to protest against delays by Mr Annan's office in approving food and medical imports.

Under the UN agreement easing sanctions against Iraq, Baghdad can sell two-billion dollars of oil every six months, and buy humanitarian supplies.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service