Post date: Feb 05, 2011 1:55:18 PM
A gas pipeline blows up in North Sinai in a suspected attack affecting supplies to both Israel and Jordan.
MIDEAST- PIPELINE BLAST - A huge flare of gas pours into the sky after a pipeline that runs through Egypt's North Sinai blows up.
Egyptian state television said saboteurs had blown it up after Islamist groups called on militants to exploit unrest that has rocked the government.
Egyptian natural gas supplies to Israel and Jordan have been suspended.
The smoke from the blast could be seen from Gaza.The pipeline is a major gas supply line to neighbouring countries.
Jordan said supplies will be halted for one week.
An energy source says that the country had switched power stations to burn fuel oil and diesel as a precautionary step.
Egypt generates 80 per cent of Jordan's electricity needs.
The Egyptian army has closed the main source of the gas and is trying to control the fires.
The pipeline lies under this region of Israel - where supplies have been halted as a precaution.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.