Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
KUT, Iraq, Dec 18 (AFP) - The Iraqi government on Sunday brought in higher
petrol prices, which are still among the cheapest in the world, provoking
angry demonstrations in the depressed south.
Baghdad announced on October 25 that fuel prices would rise as of January 1,
but has since decided to introduce the increases ahead of time, without
offering an immediate explanation.
One litre (.25 gallon) of leaded petrol has risen from 50 dinars (three US
cents) to 150 dinars (10 US cents), oil ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said.
"We are going to save 500 million dollars each year, which will go towards
funds for poor families, managed by the labour and social affairs and
planning ministries," Jihad told AFP.
But in Kut, around 300 people protested against the price hikes, blocking
two main roads in the town, which is the capital of Wasset province.
"The ink on our fingers hasn't had time to dry and the state has already put
up the price of petrol," complained taxi driver Salah Mohammed, referring to
the indelible ink voters had to dip their fingers into during Thursday's
election.
"This decision will affect poor people like me," said Kut resident Jassem
Mohammed.
In the holy city of Najaf, further south, around 500 people demonstrated
against the price hike.
"We urge the government to sack the oil minister and we want this unfair
decision cancelled," read one banner held aloft by the protestors.
Despite low petrol prices, Iraq has faced a fuel shortage since the collapse
of Saddam Hussein's regime following the 2003 US-led invasion.
Government officials have long said that the government-subsidized fuel
prices encourage criminals to smuggle fuel to Iraq's neighbours.
petrol prices, which are still among the cheapest in the world, provoking
angry demonstrations in the depressed south.
Baghdad announced on October 25 that fuel prices would rise as of January 1,
but has since decided to introduce the increases ahead of time, without
offering an immediate explanation.
One litre (.25 gallon) of leaded petrol has risen from 50 dinars (three US
cents) to 150 dinars (10 US cents), oil ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said.
"We are going to save 500 million dollars each year, which will go towards
funds for poor families, managed by the labour and social affairs and
planning ministries," Jihad told AFP.
But in Kut, around 300 people protested against the price hikes, blocking
two main roads in the town, which is the capital of Wasset province.
"The ink on our fingers hasn't had time to dry and the state has already put
up the price of petrol," complained taxi driver Salah Mohammed, referring to
the indelible ink voters had to dip their fingers into during Thursday's
election.
"This decision will affect poor people like me," said Kut resident Jassem
Mohammed.
In the holy city of Najaf, further south, around 500 people demonstrated
against the price hike.
"We urge the government to sack the oil minister and we want this unfair
decision cancelled," read one banner held aloft by the protestors.
Despite low petrol prices, Iraq has faced a fuel shortage since the collapse
of Saddam Hussein's regime following the 2003 US-led invasion.
Government officials have long said that the government-subsidized fuel
prices encourage criminals to smuggle fuel to Iraq's neighbours.