MIDEAST STOCKS-Qatar stocks retreat on LNG production halt, Middle East strikes
March 3 (Reuters) - Qatar's stock market fell on Tuesday, a day after it halted liquefied natural gas production, with the widening Middle East conflict and precautionary energy facility shutdowns across the region sparking inflation worries and dampening risk appetite.
Israel broadened its campaign with new strikes targeting Iran and Hezbollah, while Tehran launched missiles and drones toward Israel, Gulf states, and a British air base in Cyprus, raising concerns of a prolonged conflict.
Qatar's benchmark index .QSI dropped 0.9%, hit by a 0.7% fall in Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA, the Gulf's biggest lender by assets.
Qatar condemned Iranian attacks on its territory and said it reserves the complete right to respond in a letter to the U.N. Secretary General and the president of the Security Council on Monday.
