Iraqi oil pipeline breached, no suggestion of sabotage, British troops say

Saturday, July 3rd 2004, 10:05 am

By: News On 6

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ An oil pipeline in southern Iraq was breached Saturday, but there was no suspicion of sabotage and oil flow was unaffected, a British military spokesman said.

The breach in the 42-inch pipeline, located six miles south of the southern Iraqi town of Zubayr, was discovered Saturday morning and British troops went to the scene to investigate, the military spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.

The cause of the breach was unknown, but there was no suggestion it was sabotage, the spokesman said. Officials diverted the flow of oil around the breach, and exports were unaffected, the spokesman said.

Saboteurs have repeatedly attacked pipelines, damaging Iraq's ability to export oil.