DUBAI  - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Thursday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS- Asia shares flat after mixed China data, pound near 9-month peak 

* MIDEAST STOCKS- Rising oil price boosts Saudi, top telecom firm weighs on Abu Dhabi 

* PRECIOUS- Gold hovers near 2-wk high on tepid U.S. data, Brexit vot 

* Oil up after U.S. crude stock draw, supply growth seen easing 

* INSIGHT-Iran hunts for more ships to keep its oil flowing

* NEWSMAKER-Veteran diplomat set to guide Algeria's transition after protests 

* Iran warns of firm response if Israel acts against its oil shipments 

* Iran says regional powers working on "suspicious nuclear projects" - Fars news 

* Lebanon bans Boeing 737 MAX planes from its airspace -NNA 

* Army says it will preserve Algeria's security in all circumstances 

* White House opposes Saudi Yemen war resolution -statement

* Islamic State launches counter attacks at Syria enclave 

* Iraq bans Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from its airspace 

* U.S. drops reference to "Israeli-occupied" Golan Heights in annual rights report 

* CERAWEEK-U.S. says Iran has lost $10 bln in oil revenue due to sanctions

* U.S. says China's treatment of Muslim minority worst abuses 'since the 1930s' 

EGYPT

 

* Egypt bars Boeing 737 MAX jets from its airspace -statement 

* Egypt to up rice cultivation in 2019 season to 1.1 mln feddans 

* BRIEF-Egypt's Raya Contact Center FY Consol Profit Rises 

* International Co For Investment And Development FY Consol Profit Falls 

* Egypt closes four ports due to bad weather 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

 

* Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co issues $200 mln sukuk 

* BRIEF-Atheeb Telecom Says Accumulated Losses Reach 51.63 Pct Of Capital 

* BRIEF-Saudi's Sabic Intends To Merge Two Units 

* BRIEF-Saudi's Tourism Enterprises Reaches Settlement With GAZT On Zakat Claims 

* BRIEF-Saudi's Takween Says Accumulated Losses Reach 22.8 Pct of Capital 

* Rheinmetall ready to ship Saudi trucks as defence drives profit 

* Saudi's CMA Approves Taiba Holding's Capital Increase To Acquire Shares In Al Aqeeq And ARAC

* CORRECTED-REFILE-Saudi Arabia has no Boeing 737 MAX in its aircraft registry -civil aviation

* Moody's Says Saudi Banking System Outlook Is Stable On Increased Government Spending, Stabilising Asset Quality 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Mashreq bank will close 50 pct of its branches this year as part of digital transformation - CEO 

* UAE inclusion in EU tax blacklist down to poor communication - UAE bank exec 

* BRIEF-Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone Reduces Business Setup Fees By More Than 65 Pct 

* BRIEF-UAE's Julphar Says Five Board Members Resigned 

* BRIEF-Dubai's DAE Completes Delivery Of Six Dreamliner Aircraft To Gulf Air

* Emirates NBD targets $1 bln with perpetual bond sale -document

* Moody's Says Uae Real Estate Companies' Credit Quality Is Stable Despite Market Weakness

 

QATAR

* Qatar Petroleum acquires twelve exploration blocks in Morocco 

* Soccer-Qatari World Cup officials head to Miami for FIFA talks 

 

KUWAIT

* BRIEF-Jiyad Holding To Acquire Noor Integrated For General Trading 

* Moody's Says Kuwait's Banking System Outlook Is Stable Into 2020 

 

OMAN

* BRIEF-Shell Oman Marketing Gets Contract From Muttrah Tourism Development

(Reporting By Dubai Newsroom) ((Dubai.Newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))