Brent steady above $105, sheds early gains after China data

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude was steady above $105 per barrel on Thursday, backing off from a more than $1 gain seen earlier in the day, as weak economic data from China added to worries about demand outlook already muddied by the festering euro zone debt crisis.

Easing fears of oil supply as talks between Iran and the West on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme progressed also kept gains in check. Brent had earlier rallied to $106.68 as traders covered short positions after prices hit their lowest in more than five months in the session before.