RPT-Iraq PM says can sell gas to Europe via Turkey

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ANKARA, July 13 (Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday Europe can receive 15 billion cubic metres of Iraqi gas via Turkey.

Maliki made his comments during a gathering of European Union and regional leaders in Turkey to sign the planned Nabucco pipeline project, but it was not immediately clear if the sale of 15 billion cubic metres of Iraqi gas was for Nabucco.

He did not give a timeframe.

Maliki's comments came a day after Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Iraq does not have any surplus gas to sell via U.S-backed Nabucco pipeline now. (Reporting by Thomas Grove and Orhan Coskun)