LIBYA

U.S. stocks closed down and erased most of gains for the week on Friday as fears of more geopolitical turmoil and higher oil prices threaten to stifle rallies in coming weeks.

At least thirty civilians have been killed in the western city of Az Zawiyah after soldiers loyal to Moammar Gaddafi tried to seize control of the rebel-dominated town, which is near the capitol of Tripoli.

U.S. crude prices jumped to their highest since September 2008 on Friday and Brent rose above $116 a barrel as Libyan security forces cracked down on protesters in Tripoli and clashed with rebels near the major oil terminal of Ras Lanuf.

U.S. crude prices jumped to their highest since September 2008 on Friday and Brent rose above $116 a barrel as Libyan security forces cracked down on protesters in Tripoli and clashed with rebels near the major oil terminal of Ras Lanuf.

The Libyan telecommunications operator has cut off Internet traffic from inside the country.

Gold rose toward $1,425 an ounce on Friday as U.S. February payrolls data supported expectations the Federal Reserve will hold off tightening monetary policy and as unrest in North Africa continued.

Many Bangladeshis remain stuck in Tripoli and other cities, but cannot leave due to the extremely volatile situation between pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces; while others have struggled to cross into neighboring Tunisia.

Moammar Gaddafi has reportedly hired the services of hundreds of Tuaregs from the nation of Mali and Niger as mercenaries in Libya.

Libyan state television Al-Jamahiriyah has broadcast footage of three Dutch soldiers (including one woman) who were captured by forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi while trying to help evacuate foreign citizens from the strife-torn country.

Stocks fell slightly on Friday as February's jobs report came in better than expected but fell short of the most optimistic expectations.

Security forces in the Libyan capitol of Tripoli have fired tear gas on hundreds of protesters who gathered on the streets after Friday prayers.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Friday as February's jobs report came in better than expected but fell short of the most optimistic expectations.

Crude oil rose on Friday, with Brent above $116 a barrel, as Libyan security forces began a violent crackdown on protesters in Tripoli and clashed with rebels near a major oil terminal.

Stock index futures were mostly unchanged on Friday as upbeat labor market data earlier this week fed investor optimism about the upcoming February payrolls report.

Stock index futures were mostly unchanged on Friday as upbeat labor market data earlier this week fed investor optimism about the upcoming February payrolls report.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a higher opening on Friday ahead of key monthly non-farm payrolls and unemployment data from the government.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open for Wall Street on Friday, adding to hefty gains on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq futures all up around 0.2 percent by 4.20 a.m. EST.

U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Thursday as stronger than expected initial jobless claims data and an easing of oil prices after reports of a possible peace deal in Libya buoyed sentiment.

Opposition leaders who now control much of eastern Libya have rejected overtures to enter into negotiations unless Muammar Gaddafi steps down and departs into exile.

Rich nations could tap strategic oil reserves if needed to ward off the risk that Middle East political unrest triggers an inflationary price spiral, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday.

Fixes references to market strategist in paragraphs 5-6