Gold today gained as the conflict in Libya, concerns about European debt and rising

RELATED ARTICLES Gold demand to slow as disposable income drops: WGC Gold falls to 4-1/2 month low on Greece risks Gold suffers biggest loss in a month on Greece concern In domestic market, gold gets free of global trend Firm prices see gold traders stay on sidelines

inflation spurred demand for an alternative investment. Silver climbed to a 31-year high.

Gold rose $10.10, or 0.7 per cent, to $1,439 an ounce on the Comex and silver gained 2.1 per cent to $38.52 an ounce, the highest level since Feb 1980.

Italy rejected a reported cease-fire proposal by Muammar Qaddafi and said it is recognising Libya's opposition as the legitimate government as rebels fought loyalists at the oil port of Brega.

Crude oil climbed to a 30-month high in New York as fighting in Libya, the Japanese nuclear crisis and concerns about European debt boosted demand.