Brent crude rises above $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict escalates

SINGAPORE, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel on Wednesday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fuelled growing concern about oil flows from the region. Brent crude futures rose $2.15, or 2.2%, to $100.07 a barrel by 0721 GMT, whileU.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.70, or 1.83%, at $94.73 a barrel. Brent crude prices have risen by a quarter since early last month as hopes fade for a permanent resolution to the six-month-old U.S.-Iran conflict.