Oil prices gain on Libya fighting

Brent crude held steady Tuesday, supported by better than expected manufacturing data in Germany and China and by uncertainty in Libya where government loyalists staged a fight back. At 1103 GMT, Brent crude was up 18 cents to $108.54 (Dh 398.6) a barrel. US October crude was up $1.12 to $85.54, supported by expectations that US oil stockpiles released later in the session may drop. Forces still loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi fought revolutionaries in Tripoli yesterday, extending a conflict that looked close to conclusion on Monday after anti-regime fighters swept into Tripoli. The extent of the loyalists' strength surprised some in the market, after Brent fell on Monday on hopes for a quick resolution and a speedy restart in exports.