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 Thursday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy. INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL * GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares advance, dollar soft as markets decide Omicron fallout limited * Oil prices keep climbing even as Omicron COVID-19 variant fans out * PRECIOUS-Gold steady as weaker dollar counters positive Omicron study impact * MIDEAST STOCKS-Most major Gulf bourses in red on Omicron worries * ANALYSIS-After another torrid year, can emerging markets rediscover their mojo * INSIGHT-Iran seeks to cool tensions in Iraq * FOREX-Euro gains on more positive global outlook; Turkish lira holds its gains * Lebanon says talks on securing World Bank funding will wrap up in early 2022 * INTERVIEW-Jordan needs to support its airline like other nations, CEO says * Libyan election collapses with no plan out of crisis * U.N. shrinks Yemen food rations in "desperate measures" * WIDER IMAGE-Life in ruins: ancient sites shelter Syria's displaced * U.S. Navy seizes illicit weapons from a stateless vessel in Arabian sea EGYPT * Egypt's Sisi warns newly weds subsidy cards will not cover their children * Egypt says Serbia wants to set up