Israel-Egypt natural gas talks at advanced stage, Israeli ministry says

JERUSALEM, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Talks over a deal between Israel and Egypt to supply Egypt with natural gas is in "advanced stages", but some issues still need to be resolved, Israel's Energy Ministry told Reuters on Tuesday.

Israel signed the largest export agreement in its history last August, to supply up to $35 billion of gas to Egypt from the Leviathan natural gas field.

Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen has said he was holding up approval for the gas deal to secure better commercial terms for the Israeli market. Cohen's spokesman said on Tuesday that talks were ongoing.