WASHINGTON, June 16: The White House said on Monday it does not expect a Saudi-hosted meeting between major oil producers and consumers this weekend to result in any commitments to increased production.

“We are not expecting an outcome of this meeting to be additional pronouncements on production,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto told AFP when asked about Sunday’s meeting in Jeddah.

He said President George W. Bush would consult with his advisors Tuesday, the day after he returns from Europe, to decide who would represent the United States at the talks.

Fratto welcomed the announcement by UN chief Ban Ki-Moon on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had told him it would further increase oil output by 200,000 barrels a day in July.

But Fratto repeated that while increases in production were “helpful” there was “no short-term fix” to soaring oil prices.—AFP