Mubasher: Iraqi Oil Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Wednesday that he discussed the developments of the Basra-Aqaba crude oil pipeline, bringing its new path into focus, with the board members of the Iraqi Business Council (IBC).

Jordan, Iraq and Egypt agreed on building a parallel pipeline that starts from Basra to Aqaba through the cities of Haditha and Zarqa before reaching Egypt later, Abdul-Mahdi added.

The Iraqi government earlier approved an additional path aligned to the Saudi border for the project, which will help in shortening the pipeline and reduce the cost of transmission.

Jordan, Iraq and Egypt last Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation between the three countries in oil and natural gas field through Basra-Aqaba pipeline.