DUBAI, April 18 - 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-Asian shares edge ahead with Wall St, but China lags

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi index holds above 8,000 points, telcos boost Egypt

* Oil prices edge up on lower US crude inventories, global supply risks

* PRECIOUS-Gold slips as dollar steadies on positive U.S. data

* Syria says chemical weapons experts may visit Douma on Wednesday

* Trump Tweets support for American pastor on trial in Turkey

* Haley fires back at Kudlow over Russia: 'I don't get confused'

* IMF keeps global forecasts steady, sees growth bump fading quickly

* INSIGHT-Arming the world: Inside Trump's “Buy American” drive to expand weapons exports

* U.N. Yemen mediator to come up with talks framework in two months

* Turkey taking "huge strides" away from European Union- top EU official

* ANALYSIS-Who's next Investors seek to purge 'oligarch risk' from Russia portfolios

* After policy shock, Iran says rial will move no more than 5-6 pct a year

* Somalia's Puntland region asks UAE to stay as Gulf split deepens

* Jordan makes no purchase in tender for 100,000 T

EGYPT

* Egypt aims to import 7 mln t of wheat in 2018-2019 -budget document

* Egypt's crude oil output increases to 657,000 bpd

* Egypt to auction 10 or 11 oil and gas concessions in Mediterranean-minister

* Royal Dutch Shell to resume deep-water exploration off Egypt

SAUDI ARABIA

* EXCLUSIVE-First Saudi Arabian-linked banks join al-Gosaibi debt settlement plan

* Saudi Binladin receives multi-billion dollar government loans-sources

* Saudi Arabia says open to sending troops to Syria under wider coalition

* MEDIA-Saudis get four bids for 400-megawatt wind-power project - Bloomberg

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* INTERVIEW-Developer Nakheel plans new malls outside of Dubai

* Abu Dhabi's Aldar Properties eyes new acquisitions

* MEDIA-Abraaj offers to step down as manager of $1 bln healthcare fund - FT

* Dubai's Noor Bank markets $500 mln five-year sukuk

* MEDIA-Mubadala Real Estate seeks JV partners and plans Abu Dhabi Reit-The National

QATAR

* Qatar's Commercial Bank posts first-quarter profit leap

* EXCLUSIVE-Japan's Mizuho pulled out of Qatar bond amid Gulf dispute

KUWAIT

* Kuwaiti crown prince heads to the U.S. for medical tests -state news

(Reporting by Dubai newsroom) ((Dubai.Newsroom@thomsonreuters.com;))