Iraq resumes oil exports

The Iraqi Oil Minister, Amir Muhammad Rasheed, says his country has resumed oil exports following approval by the United Nations of a new food-for-oil agreement.

General Rasheed said the oil was being pumped through Mina al-Bakr on the Gulf and by pipeline to the Turkish terminal at Ceyhan.

Iraq suspended its exports early in December in protest at delays in the delivery of humanitarian supplies of food and medicine.

Under the deal, Iraq is allowed to sell two-billion dollars worth of oil every six months to finance humanitarian aid.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service