Officials blame influx of new cars for gas shortage
Baghdad,Iraq-AP -- Iraqis are dealing with long lines at gas stations -- because there are so many cars coming into the country. There's been an influx of 250-thousand cars, following the lifting of import restrictions.
Oil ministry officials say they hadn't anticipated that the move would result in such a massive import of new and used vehicles. The vehicles are coming from Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and other countries.
Iraqis have complained about a gasoline shortage. And one official says the Oil Ministry has agreements with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to import oil derivatives to curb the shortage.
Iraq is planning to build two new refineries to increase the output of oil products and try to meet the country's growing demand. Its three main refineries are still operating below capacity, partly due to pipeline sabotage.
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