By Nader Hassan

CAIRO, April 8 (Aswat Masriya) The Egyptian government has formed a committee to set standards for importing coal and it is due to finish its work within a month, Environment Minister Layla Eskander told Aswat Masriya on Tuesday.

The cabinet approved the use of coal for power generation earlier this week after a debate within the government over whether the pollutant fuel should be permitted.

Eskander said that the committee would develop standards for handling the coal in ports and factories in addition to methods of storage and transportation.

Egypt suffers a fuel crisis that has caused regular power cuts and affected transportation and industry.

The government sells fuel at prices far below world market prices.