LONDON- A gradual rise in oil demand as countries ease coronavirus lockdowns and record supply cuts by OPEC and its allies are bringing the oil market closer to balance, OPEC's secretary general said on Monday.

"These supply and demand trends are helping bring us step by step closer to achieving a balanced market," OPEC's Mohammad Barkindo said during a webcast presentation.

(Reporting by Alex Lawler and Rania El Gamal; Editing by Edmund Blair) ((edmund.blair@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: edmund.blair.thomsonreuters.com@thomsonreuters.net))