CAIRO - Egypt's cabinet has approved a draft law authorising oil exploration in the Ras Qattara development area in the western desert, the cabinet said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the draft law, the petroleum ministry will enter into a contract with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, Apex International Energy and INA for oil exploration and development in the designated area.

(Reporting by Momen Atallah Writing by Muhammad Al Gebaly Editing by David Goodman)