Oil prices held strong today after President George W. Bush accused Baghdad of playing a "willful charade" and said he would push for a UN vote on a new resolution authorising force to disarm Iraq.
US light crude for April delivery climbed nine cents to $37.09 a barrel.
Traders said steeper futures price gains for later months delivery reflected uncertainty over the timing of any war.
May crude rose 19 cents to $35.73; June crude was up 27 cents at $34.03.
"Market sentiment is bullish but confused about the timing of a military strike. There may be two to three weeks' delay as governments try to find some common ground for action," said one oil analyst.
