UNDATED (WXPR) -  Instability in the Middle East is blamed by a petroleum industry analyst for the rising price of gas in Wisconsin.

Greg Laskoski from the website "Gas Buddy DOT COM" says prices have risen sharply after falling for several weeks following the holidays.

Northwoods gas prices continue to be 5 to 7 cents per gallon higher than that statewide price.

Laskoski says newspaper reports out the Middle East say tensions are high between Syria and Israel, fueling speculation of higher crude prices.