DUBAI- Iraqi expects oil prices to reach $80 per barrel, the country's state news agency reported on Sunday, citing an oil ministry spokesman.

The spokesperson, Asim Jihad, did not give a timeframe for the increase he predicted.

Crude prices have been on the rise over the past weeks, settling over $70/barrel on Friday, amid expectations of limited growth in U.S. oil output this year.

(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli, editing by Louise Heavens) ((maher.chmaytelli@thomsonreuters.com;))