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White House: Would back big rise in oil rig liability


    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House would back "significantly lifting" a $75 million cap on companies responsible for oil spills, spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Wednesday.

    "We would be in favor of significantly lifting that cap," he told a news briefing.

    BP Plc and U.S. authorities are struggling to contain a massive, uncontrolled oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico that could devastate fishing, tourism and other industries.

    "BP's going to get a bill for the recovery, the cleanup and the damages caused," Gibbs said.

    (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, editing by Steve Holland)