Oil would be hit by economy slowdown-OPEC Pres

ALGIERS, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Oil demand and crude prices would be affected by any world economic slowdown, and OPEC is closely following the U.S. economic crisis to see if it will spread, OPEC President Chakib Khelil was quoted as saying by Algeria's official APS news agency.

"We are following with interest the evolution of this crisis which could, if it comes to affect Europe and thd rest of the world, bring about a decline in the development of the world economy," Khelil was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

"A fall in the world economy would bring about a decline in oil demand and affect the level of the crude oil price," added Khelil, who is also Algerian Energy and Mines Minister. (Reporting by William Maclean; Editing by David Gregorio)