DUBAI- Iraq plans to increase oil exports from its southern ports to 4 millions barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter of 2019, Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi said on Monday.

The southern ports are currently exporting 3.62 million bpd, their highest export level ever, the ministry quoted Luaibi as saying in a statement.

(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Louise Heavens) ((ahmed.aboulenein@tr.com; +964 790 191 7021; Reuters Messaging: ahmed.aboulenein.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))