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

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks hit, dollar slips in illiquid year-end profit taking MKTS/GLOB

* Oil settles up over 1% on large draw from US crude stocksO/R

* PRECIOUS-Gold under pressure from high US bond yields in holiday trading week GOL/

* MIDEAST STOCKS-UAE stocks mixed as Abu Dhabi extends losses .MIDEAST

* Qatar's foreign minister discusses Gaza ceasefire talks with Hamas delegation in Doha, ministry says nS8N3MM0J0

* Turkish FM discusses with Blinken need to cooperate with new Syrian administration nL1N3NT02B

* Lebanon returns 70 officers and soldiers to Syria, security official says nL1N3NT022

* At least 45,484 Palestinians killed in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since Oct.7, 2023 nS8N3MI00C

* Israel detains 240 Palestinians including medics after Gaza hospital raid nL1N3NT02K

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Re approved for 30% capital hike with PIF subscription deal nL6N3NS0C2

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Shuaa Capital Board Approves Issuance Of Mandatory Convertible Bonds nFWN3NR06V

* Flydubai suspends flights to two southern Russian airports, carrier says nL1N3NS0FJ

EGYPT

* Egypt completes trial run of new Suez Canal channel extension nL1N3NT01V

* Egypt central bank keeps overnight interest rates steady nL1N3NR0DM

* Regional challenges cost Egypt around $7 bln of Suez Canal revenues in 2024, Sisi says nL1N3NR07U

IRAQ

* Iraq to resume flights to Lebanon on Monday, transport minister says nL1N3NT01S

* Iraq's Total Oil Exports At 98.9 Mln Barrels In November - Oil Ministry nFWN3NR00H

(Compiled by Bangalore newsroom)

((bangalore-pages@thomsonreuters.com))