NEW YORK: Oil prices extended losses Friday as world markets were shaken by fresh concerns over the global economic recovery stemming from debt woes in the eurozone and disappointing US jobs data.

New York’’s main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, slid 1.95 dollars to 71.19 dollars after shedding about four dollars on Thursday.

London’’s Brent North Sea crude for March dropped 2.54 dollars to 69.59 dollars per barrel.

Persistent anxiety over the state of public finance in the eurozone and disappointing US employment figures released Friday prompted investors to seek the safe haven US dollar.

The euro plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since late May on Friday.

A stronger US unit makes dollar-priced crude oil more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies — which in turn tends to dent demand and in turn prices.

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