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CAIRO — A natural gas pipeline that runs through Egypt's North Sinai exploded Saturday, disrupting flows to Israel and Jordan.

The blast came after Islamists called on militants to exploit the
unrest that has rocked the government and there were reports of attacks
by saboteurs, but also claims it was caused by a gas leak.

State television quoted an official as saying earlier Saturday that
the "situation is very dangerous and explosions were continuing from one
spot to another" along the pipeline.

"It is a big terrorist operation", a state TV reporter said.

A security source in North Sinai said "foreign elements" targeted the branch of the pipe that supplies Jordan.

However, the head of Egypt's natural gas company, Magdy Toufik, said
the fire was caused "as a result of a small amount of gas leaking."

A security source said the Egyptian army closed the main source of
natural gas supplying the pipeline and was controlling the fire.

Television footage showed a tower of flame at the scene visible for dozens of miles away. It was later put out.

Jordan said supplies from Egypt were expected to remain halted for a week until the pipelin... >>>