Economics
Lebanon’s economy performed poorly in the first three quarters of 2012, but the year should still end with positive growth, according to Bank Audi’s quarterly Economic Report.
Brent crude edged up to above US$109 a barrel on Monday as escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians fueled concerns about supply from the Middle East.
Companies
Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development Company said on Sunday it has signed a $106.7m eight-year syndicated facility to finance the development of the Sidra Village residential project.
Saudi Arabia on Sunday said it has signed contracts worth SR2.68bn ($714m) to establish a number of new scientific colleges and improve facilities at universities in the Gulf kingdom.
Egypt's biggest publicly traded steel manufacturer, Ezz Steel has regained one of two production licences withdrawn by court order in 2011 and is in advanced talks to secure the second.
Kuwait's Global Investment House said on Sunday it was planning talks next month on a possible delisting from Kuwait Stock Exchange in a bid to complete its $1.7bn debt restructuring proposal.
Israel and Palestine
Qatar’s emir, who visited Gaza earlier this month, said in comments broadcast on Sunday that Israel should lift its siege of the Gaza Strip.
Elsewhere the head of the Arab League and a group of Arab foreign ministers will visit Gaza on Tuesday to show solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli attack, officials said on Sunday. Arab league ministers had called at an earlier meeting for a mission to go to Gaza.
With fighting in the Gaza Strip entering its sixth day and Palestinian rockets landing deeper into Israel than ever before, travelers who had hoped to visit the country are starting to think twice.
