, where Sunni gunmen controlled more towns at the weekend.

 The data received from China, the largest consumer of clay showed an increase in the factory sector in the country for the first time in six months that also boosted prices.

Brent rose 30 cents to 115.11 by 0331 GMT, which is a minimum of 115.71 dollars recorded on Thursday, its highest level since the ninth of September.

The price of U.S. crude for August has risen from 32 cents to 107.12 dollars.