Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange on Tuesday topped the psychological mark of 1,400 dollars per ounce, buoyed up by safe- haven demands amid growing violence and protests in the Middle East.

The most active gold contract for February delivery rose 12.5 dollar per ounce, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 1,401.1 dollars.

Market analysts noted that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and North Africa region continued to enhance the appeal of gold as a safe-haven investment.

The Libyan government attacked protesters, and the country's leader vowed to stay in power and fight the protesters till the end. Besides, tens of thousands of Bahraini protesters marched in the capital demanding democracy.

A trader noted that all of these events have ensured a steady bid for gold and silver and the illiquidity caused by Monday's U.S. holiday is likely to accentuate market moves and put a premium on those investments that traders consider to be most valuable in a crisis.

After six consecutive hikes, gold prices have surpassed the psychological mark of 1,400 dollars, settling at a seven-week high. The gold reached an all-time record of 1,432.5 dollars on Dec. 7.

Meanwhile, March silver also jumped 56.6 cents, or 1.75 percent, to 32.862 dollars an ounce, refreshing the highest price since March 1980. However, platinum for April delivery slipped 57 cents, or 0.03 percent, to 1,786.3 dollars per ounce.

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