LONDON, Aug 27 Reuters Oil prices slipped slightly on Tuesday after rebounding more than 7 over the previous three sessions on supply concerns prompted by fears of widening Middle East conflict and potential shutdown of Libyan oil fields.

Brent crude futures were down 30 cents, or 0.4, at 81.13 a barrel by 0819 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 40 cents, or 0.5, to 77.02.

After the jump in oil prices on the back of geopolitical risk in the Middle East and a production halt in Libya, market participants are now holding back to assess further developments, said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong.

The 7 rise in Brent and 7.6 rise in WTI in the previous three sessions bucked a broader downtrend since hitting its 2024 peak of 91.17 in April. The downturn was driven by concern over global crude demand, particularly from China and through the summer, which is typically a peak demand period.

In eastern Libya, oilfields responsible for almost all the country39;s 1.17 million barrels per day bpd of crude output will be closed and production and exports halted, the easternbased administration said on Monday, after a flareup in tensions over leadership of the country39;s central bank.

There was no confirmation from the internationally recognised government in Tripoli or from National Oil Corp NOC, which controls the country39;s oil resources.

Oil has also been supported by escalation in conflict between Israel and Iranbacked Hezbollah, with a major…