U.N. council approves spare parts to repair Iraqi oil fields

The United Nations Security Council approved on Friday the delivery of spare parts to Iraq for the repair of its oil fields. In a unanimous decision, the council said the purchase of the equipment may be financed with the proceeds from humanitarian oil sales to up to $300 million.

The intention of the council is to enable Iraq to bring its exports up to the $5.2 billion level as authorized for six months by resolution 1153 adopted in February, previously the limit had been $2 billion, Map reported.

Iraq's oil fields have been in disrepair from years of neglect as a result of the trade embargo the council imposed on Iraq in 1990.

The current humanitarian program is based on resolution 986, permitting $2 billion in oil sales over each six-month period. The program took effect in December 1996 and is now in its fourth phase.

Under the resolution, the distribution plan approved by the Secretary-General in May "or any new distribution plan submitted by Iraq and approved by the Secretary-General will remain in effect for each subsequent periodic renewal of the temporary humanitarian arrangements for Iraq."