Iraq has accepted the renewal of the UN oil-for-food accord for another six months, clearing the way for a resumption of crude exports suspended since December 1, the official news agency INA announced Monday.
"Iraq agrees to the renewal of the humanitarian program for a period of six months," Foreign Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf wrote in a message to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, INA reported.
The program allows sanctions-hit Iraq to export crude in sixth-monthly phases to finance imports of essential goods for its 22-million population. The eighth phase of the program ran out on December 5.
But lifting were suspended on December 1 in a dispute over a pricing formula for Iraqi exports. The United Nations said on Friday that its oil overseers had resolved the dispute -- BAGHDAD (AFP)
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