The Egyptian gas pipeline in northern Sinai Peninsula supplying natural gas to Israel and Jordan was blasted for the 14th time, since 25 January 2011, at dawn Monday.
Security sources said that the blast targeted a section of the pipeline in northern Sinai near the entrance to El-Arish city.
No party declared responsibility for the attack.
The gas agreement between Egypt and Israel is criticized by the Egyptian public, charging that gas was sold to Israel at a very low price compared to the international prices.
The Egyptian authorities announced in November last year that security measures would be tightened along the gas pipeline including installing alarms and Bedouin patrols.
A responsible source in GASCO that operates the pipeline said that the Egyptian economy suffered one billion Egyptian pounds, around 166 million dollars, in losses as a result of the repeated blasts.
He added that the repeated repairs and replacements of pipelines cost the company around 100 million pounds while the insurance premium was raised to 40 million from 30 million.
Source: PIC
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