Egypt considers gas imports from Israel - minister

Egypt is open to importing gas from Israel, its oil minister said in state-owned media on Wednesday, another sign that it may lean on its neighbour to help tackle its energy troubles.

Egypt is going through its worst energy crisis in decades and is seeking fresh sources of natural gas, which powers most of its homes and factories, including Algeria, Russia, and Cyprus.

But importing gas from Israel is more controversial. Popular mistrust of the Jewish state runs high following three wars with Egypt and its continuing occupation of Palestinian land.

Oil Minister Sharif Ismail said gas imports from Israel were a possibility, when asked in an interview by the state-owned Al Mussawar magazine.