WORLD> America
Crude prices retreat after double-digit surge
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-10 06:39

NEW YORK -- Crude prices retreated sharply Monday with the July delivery dropping more than US$4 a barrel after a double-digit surge last week.

Light, sweet crude for July delivery fell 4.19 dollars to settle at 134.35 dollars a barrel in volatile trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In an interview on CNBC Monday, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said he would not rule out the possibility of intervening to stabilize the dollar. The dollar strengthened against the euro on Paulson's comments, sending oil prices lower.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it will call for a meeting of oil producing countries and consumers to discuss soaring oil prices.

Also on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert distanced himself from the comments that Israel might attack Iran if it didn 't halt its nuclear program.

Crude prices rocketed more than 15 dollars in two days last week on tension in Middle East, weak dollar and supply concerns.