A pipeline supplying natural gas to Jordan was sabotaged again by unidentified armed men early Tuesday in Egypt's Arish, local security officials said.

The explosion, which occurred in the wee hours, caused flames of up to 20 meters. Local residents heard a big bang. Technicians were trying to shut the valves of the pipeline.

This was the fourth similar attack on the gas pipelines in Arish since February.

North Sinai Governor Abdel Wahab Mabrouk said the attack was a premeditated sabotaging act and similar to previous ones.

On July 4, a gas pipeline was bombed in Arish and cut gas exports to some Middle East countries and gas supply to thousands of local households.

Egypt's natural gas exports to Israel have been a target of criticism from Egyptians following Mubarak's fall, partly because the contractual prices are lower than international levels.

Egypt is planing to raise the prices of its natural gas exports. A top Egyptian petroleum official confirmed in early June that consultations were going on between Egypt and countries importing gas from Egypt.