AMMAN: Jordan has urged Egypt to protect gas supplies feeding the energy-poor kingdom and Israel after saboteurs attacked a Sinai pipeline 10 times last year, the transport minister said on Sunday.
"I have met with Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Al-Ganzoury (in Cairo), and called for protecting and persevering the security of the gas pipeline to ensure there is no disruption to the supplies, in line with agreements between the two countries," Alaa Batayneh told the state news agency Petra.
Jordanian news websites have quoted the Egyptian press as reporting that Cairo has turned down an offer from Amman to help provide protection for the pipeline.
Last month, Egyptian security officials said they have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with attacks.
Egyptian gas covers 80 percent of Jordan’s needs for power generation — 6.8 million cubic meters a day.
Israel generates 40 percent of its electricity using natural gas, and Egypt provides 43 percent of its supplies.
