ABU DHABI — Iraq has reported record oil exports, which had dipped sharply during the war due to attacks by insurgents.

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain Al Shahristani said Iraq has been exporting up to 1.9 million barrels of crude oil per day. Al Shahristani, citing the repair of the northern pipeline to Turkey, said this was highest export level since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

"Crude oil exports from Turkey's Ceyhan terminal have begun and the Oil Ministry has repaired the pipeline and is providing round-the-clock security through the Iraq Army," Al Shahristani said in a briefing in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The minister, who envisioned Iraqi production of 4.3 million barrels by 2010, said Iraq has reached a daily production level of 2.5 million barrels, Middle East Newsline reported.

He said the Iraq Army has taken over security of the northern oil pipeline to Turkey. Previously, the facility was the responsibility of a security force said to be dominated by Iraqi militias. =