Global oil prices hit their highest for the year yesterday after a disruption in Libyan crude exports, higher selling prices for Saudi oil and a weaker dollar that tends to inflate commodity prices.

LIBYAN rebels pushed further west last night to retake more territory abandoned by Muammar Gaddafi’s retreating forces, which have been weakened by Western air strikes.

LIBYAN troops pushed forward toward the insurgent stronghold of Benghazi yesterday and launched air raids on its outskirts as Washington raised the possibility of air strikes to stop Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.