Kuwait to replace Riyadh as main Egypt oil supplier

Egypt’s state news agency says Kuwait has agreed to supply Egypt with 2 million barrels of crude per month, starting in January.

Tuesday’s announcement comes more than a month after Saudi Arabia halted previously agreed fuel shipments to Egypt.

Differences over the conflicts in Syria and Yemen have strained ties between the two nations.

The Saudi move has ratcheted up pressure on Egypt as it tries to revive a battered economy and overcome a shortage of dollars.

Cairo floated its currency this month and significantly hiked fuel prices.

The MENA news agency says that under the deal with Kuwait, Egypt will get the crude at international prices with no discounts, but with a nine-month grace period.