Brent crude held steady Tuesday, supported by better than expected manufacturing data in Germany and China and by uncertainty in Libya where government loyalists staged a fight back. At 1103 GMT, Brent crude was up 18 cents to $108.54 (Dh 398.6) a barrel. US October crude was up $1.12 to $85.54, supported by expectations that US oil stockpiles released later in the session may drop. Forces still loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi fought revolutionaries in Tripoli yesterday, extending a conflict that looked close to conclusion on Monday after anti-regime fighters swept into Tripoli. The extent of the loyalists\' strength surprised some in the market, after Brent fell on Monday on hopes for a quick resolution and a speedy restart in exports.