LOC21:15 18:15 GMT
RIYADH, Feb 8 (KUNA) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomes a deal worth USD 220 million to establish electricity interconnection systems linking Gulf Arab states with Iraq, the bloc's chief Jassem Al-Budaiwi said on Wednesday.
The deal, which will provide a power capacity of 500 megawatts to Iraq's southern Basra province, is a step towards greater bilateral cooperation between the GCC and Baghdad, he underlined.
It also aims to address soaring power demands in Iraq's southern Basra province, helping to "build the blocks" for a future integrated energy system between GCC states and Iraq, Al-Budaiwi noted.
The GCC and Iraq signed a day earlier some five energy deals that will collectively address the southern Iraqi province's short-term energy needs, he added. (end) mdm.nam