Mideast Stocks: Factors to watch on December 28

Mideast Stocks: Factors to watch on December 28

DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy. INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL * GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares rise, yen falls as traders shrug off Omicron fears * Oil near one-month high on easing concerns over Omicron * PRECIOUS-Gold prices off one-week high as risk appetite improves * MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf bourses fall as Omicron worries weigh * Iran nuclear talks resume with Tehran focused on sanctions relief * Lebanon's Aoun calls for defence dialogue, hinting at friction with Hezbollah * Syria denounces Israeli plans to double number of Golan settlers * Fires erupt in Syria's Latakia Port following Israeli attack- Syrian state media * Yemen's Houthis say allowed temporary resumption of U.N. flights to Sanaa airport * Iraqi court ratifies election result, rejects appeal * Israeli hospital launches first test of second COVID-19 booster * Bird flu kills thousands of cranes in Israel, poultry also culled * Lebanon sets May 15 election day for parliamentary polls EGYPT * Egypt signs $3.5 bln agreement with Apache to develop oil concessions in Western Desert SAUDI ARABIA * Saudi Arabia to finalise Riyadh 2030 strategy next