OPEC ends extraordinary meeting's first session in Algeria

Algiers, December 17, SPA -- Ministers of Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC) ended the first session of their 151st
emergency meeting held in Oran, western Algeria today amid great
optimism on taking a decision to reduce production.

The Saudi delegation to the meeting is led by the Minister of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Eng. Ali Al-Naimi.

In his opening address at the gathering, Algerian President Abdulaziz
Bouteflika called for protecting OPEC and defending the interests of
its members.

OPEC's extraordinary meeting will continue later with a closed-door
session with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement on
reducing oil production.

--SPA