Oil Down as Obama Seeks Congress Approval on Syria

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Oil prices fell in Asian trade Monday after U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement that he would seek approval from lawmakers for military action against Syria eased prospects of an imminent strike, analysts said.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in October, eased $1.46 to $106.19 a barrel in afternoon trade, while Brent North Sea crude for October fell $1.01 to $113.00.

U.S. markets will be closed Monday for the Labor Day federal holiday.

"Investors are sitting back for now after President Obama's decision to take the decision on a Syrian intervention to U.S. lawmakers," Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, told Agence France Presse.

After the announcement on Saturday, Obama launched an intense lobbying effort to sway skeptical lawmakers as they weigh whether to support military action against Syria for its alleged chemical weapon use, an official said Sunday.

Although Syria is not a major oil producer, traders are nervous about a broader conflict in the crude-rich Middle East region, including neighboring Iraq, which is becoming a major exporter.

Obama's surprise decision to hand the issue to the Congress effectively pushes military action back until at least September 9, when U.S. lawmakers return from their summer recess.

It remains to be seen if a war-weary Congress will endorse Obama's push for action.

Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that Washington has proof the Syrian regime used sarin gas in a deadly August 21 strike on a Damascus suburb.

Hair and blood samples given to the U.S. by emergency workers who rushed to the scene of the attack showed signs of the powerful sarin nerve gas, he said.

Chua said all eyes will be on Obama at a G20 summit in Russia later this week, where Syria is likely to top the agenda.

"There will be keen attention among investors on discussions about Syria at the G20 summit as well as the outcome of any direct meeting between President Obama and Russian President Putin," he said.

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