MIDEAST - Factors to watch - February 24

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

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks try to steady after Wall St selloff dims mood MKTS/GLOB

* Oil rises to near seven-month high on US–Iran tensions, trade policy O/R

* PRECIOUS-Gold falls from three-week high on profit-booking, firm dollar GOL/

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf shares fall on growing US-Iran tensions; Egypt extends loss .MIDEAST

* US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions nL1N3ZJ0JA

* US military begins withdrawing from main base in northeast Syria, Syrian sources say nL1N3ZJ08W

* Islamic State kills four security personnel in Syria, state news agency says nL1N3ZJ0Q9

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Arabia deficit widens to $25.28 billion in Q4 2025, finance ministry says nL1N3ZJ0KY

* Saudi Aramco sells first Jafurah condensate cargoes to US firms, India, sources say nL1N3ZJ07D

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE bonds to be phased out of JPMorgan EM indices due to rising wealth nL8N3ZJ1PN

* Dubai Crude for May to be priced at 5.00 cents/bbl above Oman nAPN7KHR65

* UAE Fujairah's January marine fuel sales at four-month high nL4N3ZJ0CM

IRAQ

* Iraq says Ankara agrees to take back Turkish citizens among IS detainees moved from Syria nL1N3ZJ099

* Chevron, Iraq agree to exclusive talks over West Qurna 2 oilfield nL6N3ZJ0EM

* Iraqi minister says Turkey has agreed to take back citizens in 'terrorism' cases nS8N3XH05I

TUNISIA

* Tunisia frees prominent lawyer who became vocal critic of president nL1N3ZJ0L1

(Compiled by Bangalore newsroom)

((bangalore-pages@thomsonreuters.com))