LONDON, April 14: Oil prices rose on Monday after initially slipping amid hopes that the war in Iraq is drawing to a close, as dealers fell prey to fears about when the country’s crude exports can be restarted.

Reference Brent North Sea crude for May delivery rose 23 cents to $24.98 a barrel in late deals here as earlier falls were reversed.

New York’s benchmark light sweet crude contract for May delivery was up 31 cents a barrel to $28.45 in early trading.—AFP