Security bodies have tightened security along the Sinai gas pipeline supplying Israel and Jordan, with the aim of preventing any future acts of sabotage, said Magdy Tawfik, head of the Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), on Tuesday.

The security bodies told GASCO and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) that the pipeline has been provided with early warning systems, along with obstacles that would make it harder for saboteurs to sneak in and blow it up, he said.

Companies responsible for pumping gas are boosting security procedures to protect the line, which is particuarly vulnerable given the current tense situation in Gaza and the continuous attacks on the strip by Israel, said Tawfik, adding that there is a direct relationship between attacks on the 190 km gas line and the intensity of attacks on Gaza.

The supply of Egyptian gas to Israel has been halted six times due to explosions carried out by anonymous elements in Areesh, with supplies to Jordan and Syria also being interrupted.

Only 30 to 40 percent of the quantities due to be delivered to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria have in fact been supplied, said the GASCO head.

The gas pipeline is still not fully operational, however, as engineers are still awaiting spare parts needed to fix problems with units that were damaged in the last explosion.

According to contracts with the countries supplied by the pipeline, Egypt is permitted to limit gas exports under circumstances of unrest, until things return to normal.

Translated from the Arabic Edition