Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil producer, began selling unleaded petrol (gasoline) domestically Sunday to support regional and international efforts to protect the environment, Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi said.
He said the refineries of monopoly producer Aramco would start making the leadless fuel from Monday. The leaded variety, which is blamed for pollution and brain daamage, would be eventually phased out, he said.
Saudi Arabia, which with 261 billion barrels of oil boasts 25.5 percent of the world's total oil resources, doubled petrol prices in May 1999 to 24 cents a litre.—AFP.
©--Agence France Presse.
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
