Crude oil prices have hit a two-and-a-half year high amid concerns that the unrest in Libya could turn into a full-blown civil war.

受利比亚国内动荡局势的影响，原油价格达到近两年半以来最高点。

US crude futures¹ for April rose by $1.81 to $106.23 per barrel, the highest price since September 2008.

Brent crude gained $1.17 to $117.14 per barrel.

There are concerns that the continuing unrest in Libya could send oil prices even higher, derailing（出轨） the global economic recovery.

Fear factor

The US has indicated that it is considering tapping its oil reserves as one way to help ease soaring prices.

But even that news failed to calm the markets as investors² remained jittery³（神经过敏的） about the unrest spreading to other oil-producing nations

"The concern is that with what we are seeing in Libya, it's purely⁴ fear driving the market," said Jonathan Barratt of Commodity Broking Services.

"Each time the price moves up a little, people are forced into the market. Once it's feeding itself, it will continue to rise," he added.

Mr Barratt said US crude prices could peak at $120 a barrel, but only if further supply disruptions（破坏，分裂） did not take place.