Oil prices, which two weeks ago hit 13-year highs, rose strongly this evening after OPEC's biggest producer Saudi Arabia threw its weight behind imminent supply cuts, though some members appeared to dissent by seeking a delay to ease consumer pain.
US light crude was trading 85 cents higher at $36.30, while London's Brent crude climbed to $32.49, up 75 cents.
Prices began their rally after Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi lent his backing to April supply curbs, and pushed higher after Libya said it thought the cartel would swing behind the Saudi position.
But Saudi Arabia faced rare opposition from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, traditionally firm allies of the cartel's biggest producer, which came out in favour of postponing cuts in line with US calls for more oil to calm prices.
Analysts said the division left the question open as to whether OPEC, which meets in Vienna tomorrow, would respect a lower output ceiling designed to prevent a supply surplus during the second quarter when demand traditionally falls.
