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-Asian stocks retreat as investors await FOMC outcome  

* Oil dips on demand worries despite surprise drop in U.S. crude stocks 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf stocks gain on global rally; Egypt's shares ease  

* PRECIOUS-Gold firms on inflation bets; focus on Fed policy verdict  

* War in Yemen is 'back in full force,' says U.N. mediator  

* Iran enriching uranium with new advanced machine type at underground plant -IAEA  

* Israel's eToro to go public through $10.4 bln SPAC deal backed by SoftBank, others 

* Lebanon's protesters back on streets as currency hits new low 

* INSIGHT-Anger simmers over Syria's economic collapse, but Assad appears secure 

* Erdogan says Saudi Arabia wants to buy armed drones from Turkey

 

EGYPT

* Egypt expects to procure 3.5 million tonnes of wheat during mid-April harvest - MENA 

* POLL-Egypt central bank forecast to leave interest rates unchanged 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* EXCLUSIVE-India readies Saudi oil import cut as stand-off escalates - sources 

* MEDIA-Citigroup names key banker on Aramco IPO as Saudi CEO - Bloomberg News 

* Saudi Arabia closes March domestic issuance of sukuk program at 7.674 bln riyals -SPA

* Saudi-led coalition destroys explosive-laden boat off Yemeni port of Salif - state media 

* Saudi Arabia Q4 GDP down from previous year but up on Q3 as COVID-19 impact eases

* Saudi's Almarai buys bakery manufacturer in UAE, Bahrain 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* BRIEF-ADNOC distribution shareholders approve dividend of AED 1.285 bln

* Abu Dhabi asks banks to pay $800 mln for airport project guarantees - sources 

* Abu Dhabi's Mubadala interested in buying NMC hospital business - sources 

* BRIEF-ADCB Group Completes Sale Of 49% Stake In Orient UNB Takaful To Orient Insurance 

* UAE's EGA pre-tax earnings soar on product flexibility, cost control 

 

QATAR

* ANALYSIS-Qatar tightens global gas market grip with bold expansion moves 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwaiti cabinet approves bill supporting local banks' financing of customers hit by pandemic 

 

BAHRAIN

* Saudi's Almarai buys bakery manufacturer in UAE, Bahrain 

 

(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))