Brent crude rises towards $110 as Bahrain clears protesters

Brent crude rose USD 1 towards USD 110 after Bahraini security forces attempted to clear protesters on Wednesday, rebounding from a three-week low near USD 107 earlier in the day.

Brent for April rose USD 1 to USD 109.52 a barrel at 0717 GMT, rebounding from USD 107.35, the lowest price since February 23. Prices reached almost USD 120 on February 24 as violence escalated in Libya, disrupting oil output.

They slumped 4.5% on Tuesday, the biggest drop in more than a year as Japan's nuclear crisis slashed confidence across markets.

Bahraini security forces in light armoured personnel carriers began to clear makeshift roadblocks from a thoroughfare leading to the main financial district on Wednesday, as pitched battles raged with protesters.