Saudis, OPEC Partners Clash

GENEVA — Dominant OPEC oil producer Saudi Arabia clashed with cartel partners today over finding a common strategy for limiting oil supplies, heightening prospects of failure and the possibility of a price plunge.

Ahmed Zaki Yamani, the Saudi oil minister, told reporters the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, in its 12th day, had reached a “difficult stage.” He commonly uses that expression to signal a major conflict in OPEC negotiations.