Shares in Agility fell 3 per cent, weighing on the Kuwait index which retreated 0.9 per cent to 7,052 points, reversing Sunday's gains.

Kuwaiti logistics firm Agility said no deal has been reached with the US authorities over allegations it overcharged the US army.

Banking stocks attracted interest in early trading on the Qatar index, helping reverse some of Sunday's losses. Qatar Islamic Bank gained 1 per cent, and Doha Bank climbed 0.89 per cent. Qatar Real Estate Company added 2.6 per cent, and index heavyweight Industries Qatar rose 0.4 per cent.

'Looking at the November-to-date range, we can clearly see that the latest pull back in the market is no more than a minor down wave within a broader sideways pattern,' said a note from Shuaa Capital.

'Still, there seems to be a bearish bias in the general picture and traders should refrain from buying until a clear directional break is attained.'

The Qatar benchmark advanced 0.3 per cent to 7,048 points.

UAE markets rose slightly in early trading, with Dubai's index extending gains from Sunday, and real estate stocks lifting Abu Dhabi. Emaar Properties gained 0.5 per cent and low cost carrier Air Arabia climbed 1.1 per cent.

The Dubai index rose 0.2 per cent to 1,772 points.

Abu Dhabi's index also gained slightly, reversing Sunday's losses. Real estate stocks helped list the index, as Aldar Properties rose 0.2 per cent and Sorouh advanced 0.4 per cent. The benchmark was 0.2 per cent higher at 2,702 points.-Reuters