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Oil slides in Asian trade

Singapore - Crude fell in Asian trade on Tuesday amid a stronger dollar as Libyan rebels emboldened by Western air strikes marched towards dictator Muammar Gaddafi's birthplace Sirte, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, lost 42c to $103.56 per barrel while Brent North Sea crude for May dipped 50c to $114.30.

"US crude oil fell as Libya's rebels gained against forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi," Phillip Futures said in a report.

"A stronger dollar also pressured oil prices by making dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for those using other currencies."

More than 35 countries, including seven Arab states, were due to meet in London later on Tuesday to map out a post-Kadhafi future for Libya even as rebels marching to the ruler's birthplace Sirte were halted by government forces.

The meeting was aimed at planning the country's way forward after a civil war to overthrow Kadhafi hamstrung crude exports from the oil-producing nation.

Oil-rich Libya was producing 1.69 million barrels a day before the unrest, according to the International Energy Agency. It is now producing 400 000 barrels a day.

In morning Asian trade, the euro exchanged hands at $1.4074, up from $1.4089 on Monday.

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