BAGHDAD, Dec. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraq closed the Baiji oil refinery in the north last week after insurgents threatened to attack it, the oil ministry said on Thursday.

    The threat to attack oil transport vehicles came after the government announced earlier this month to increase oil prices in the country, drawing strong opposition.

    The refinery, some 180 km north of Baghdad, produces some 8.5 million liters of petrol per day.

    The ministry said they are making efforts to re-operate.

    Insurgents often attack oil infrastructure in the violence-ravaged country in an attempt to cripple the government. Enditem