World crude oil futures rose mildly on Friday, after U.S. distillate supplies and gasoline inventories fell sharply.

New York's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, rose 19 cents to 61.14 U.S. dollars per barrel, after hitting as high as 61.80 dollars. This contract closed above 60 dollars a barrel the first time this year on Wednesday.

In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for April delivery added 26 cents to 60.88 dollars per barrel.

The U.S. Department of Energy said on Thursday that its crude stockpiles rose by 3.7 million barrels to 327.6 million in the week ending February 16. Domestic distillate supplies, including heating oil, lost 5.0 million barrels to 128.3 million. Gasoline inventories fell by 3.1 million barrels to 222.1 million barrels.

Meanwhile, the traders are concerned over possible supply halt by Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed on Friday that Iran would defend its nuclear rights.

The Resolution 1737 adopted last Dec. 23 by the United Nations gave the Islamic republic a 60-day deadline to halt uranium enrichment or face further severe sanctions, such as further financial sanctions and tougher travel ban.

Iran is OPEC's No. 2 producer following Saudi Arabia, pumping 4 million barrels of crude oil and exporting 2.4 million barrels per day.

Source: Xinhua