New BP CEO says hopes to restore dividend in 2011

Oil giant BP's <BP.L> incoming Chief Executive Bob Dudley said on Thursday he wanted to restore the company's dividend payments next year.

"The board will get together and talk before the end of the year about restoring a dividend in some form in the first quarter," he told BBC television.

"Its obviously for the board to decide … from what I see happening in the performances of the businesses, I believe we will get there."