MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - The Belarusian section of a diesel pipeline from Russia to Latvia is expected to resume operation on August 5 following regular maintenance procedures, the Russian government's press service said on Wednesday.

Belarus temporarily suspended on Wednesday the Belarusian section of the Unecha-Ventspils oil product pipeline, citing its unsatisfactory technical condition. The issue was discussed in a phone conversation by the Russian and Belarusian deputy prime ministers, Igor Sechin and Vladimir Semashko.

"The suspension was due to scheduled works on run-down sections of the pipeline," the press service said. "The startup of the pipe is scheduled for August 5, when the scheduled works are due to be completed."

A spokesman for the Belarusian emergencies ministry said that the suspension did not come as a surprise for the Russian owners of the pipeline, adding that its further operation could have caused accidents and damage to the environment.

Latvian businesses said the closure of the pipeline would cause them serious losses.