DUBAI- Dubai's largest listed developer Emaar Properties has suspended construction of a 77-storey residential tower in the Downtown Dubai area near the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, a spokesman said on Tuesday. "In light of the current situation, delays in operations outside of our control have impacted construction on the project," the spokesman said in response to a Reuters query.

The spokesman, calling the stoppage a "temporary pause", did not say when construction would resume or be completed.

($1 = 3.6728 UAE dirham)

(Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh, additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell, writing by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) ((Alexander.Cornwell@thomsonreuters.com;))