(ANSA-AFP) - FRANKFURT AM MAIN, JUN 23 - Germany said Thursday it would raise the alert level under its emergency gas plan to secure supply following the recent reduction of pipeline supplies from Russia. "Gas is now a scarce commodity in Germany," Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters.

Triggering phase two brings Germany a step closer to the third and final stage that could see gas rationing in Europe's top economy. Russia was using gas "as a weapon" against Germany in retaliation for the West's support for Ukraine following Moscow's invasion, Habeck said. Germany, like a number of other European countries, is highly reliant on Russian energy imports to meet its needs. Russian energy giant Gazprom last week significantly reduced supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany by 60 percent due to what the company said was a delayed repair. The second "alarm" level under the government's emergency plan reflected a "significant deterioration of the gas supply situation", Habeck said. At the "alarm" level, Germany is still considered to be in a position to "manage" the situation for the time being. Habeck said that households "can make a difference" by saving energy, as Germany launches a campaign to encourage gas saving measures. (ANSA-AFP).