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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-Caution creeps into Asian trading ahead of Fed decision
* MIDEAST STOCKS-Qatar outperforms in soft Gulf markets
* Oil prices rise on Middle East tensions, healthy demand
* PRECIOUS-Gold edges lower on strong dollar ahead of Fed rate decision
* U.S. arrests Iranian over alleged $115 mln sanctions evasion scheme
* Trump congratulates Putin on election, leaders look to meet soon
* Iranian leader says Tehran has defused regional threats
* South Sudan suspends mobile operator Vivacell
* Gulf central banks may diverge from US policy as rate hikes loom
* Iraq's Grain Board sets local wheat purchase prices for 2018 season
* Lebanon c. bank to lift fx reserves to bolster confidence in pound-governor
* Malaysia says concludes talks with Saudi Aramco over RAPID investment
EGYPT
* Sisi says he wanted more challengers in Egyptian election
* Egypt court orders suspension of Uber, Careem services in victory for taxis -sources
* Al-Futtaim investment in Cairo Festival City to reach $1.7 bln by 2023
* Egypt's strategic wheat reserves enough for 3 months - MENA
SAUDI ARABIA
* Trump praises U.S. military sales to Saudi as he welcomes crown prince
* Saudi finance ministry sells 4.9 bln riyals of domestic sukuk
* Saudi Prince Alwaleed reached secret agreement with govt -BBG TV
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
* Noble Group hit by lawsuit amid crucial debt restructuring
* Emaar and Aldar to launch joint projects worth up to $8.2 bln
* UAE's First Abu Dhabi Bank gains Saudi commercial licence
* UAE's Mubadala fund in talks to buy renewable energy arm of Brazil's QGEP-report
* UAE seeks exemption from U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminium - govt official
* UAE importer purchased about 30,000 tonnes wheat last week
* Dubai Investments to launch sharia-compliant Arkan Bank
QATAR
* TABLE-Qatar inflation rate falls marginally in February
* Qatar fund to sell stake in HK department store operator for $662 mln
KUWAIT
TABLE-Kuwait February inflation edges down to 0.8 percent
OMAN
* Oman bought about 30,000 to 60,000 T Russian wheat last week
(Compiled by Dubai newsroom)