Mideast Stocks: Factors to watch on December 23

Mideast Stocks: Factors to watch on December 23

DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL* GLOBAL MARKETS-Stock futures slip as Trump threatens to derail stimulus bill  * Oil falls on surprise build in U.S. crude stocks, Trump threat to U.S. relief spending  * PRECIOUS-Gold gains as weaker dollar offsets U.S stimulus doubts * MIDEAST STOCKS-Most major Gulf stocks rise; Qatar slips  * Israel to hold snap election, with Netanyahu facing new challenges * Morocco hosts Israeli envoys, Kushner to flesh out new relations  * Tel Aviv bourse sees investor interest from UAE, Arab countries  * Tunisia says it does not intend to normalize relations with Israel * Libyan government approves 20% increase in public salaries * Iraq bans air travel with eight nations over new variant of virus * Iran's oil minister says OPEC+ policy fruitful so far- SHANA * Led by IPOs, Israeli tech exits jump to record $15 bln in 2020 - PwC * U.S. reinstates Sudan's sovereign immunity, authorizes funds to help pay debt EGYPT* Egypt central bank forecast to keep interest rates unchanged SAUDI ARABIA* Saudi sovereign wealth fund hires new corporate finance head, makes other changes UNITED ARAB EMIRATES* Dubai to begin inoculations with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine