The Dubai and Abu Dhabi benchmarks ended lower for the sixth session in eight on Thursday as most Gulf Arab bourses declined, tracking renewed weakness on international markets ahead of the release of US jobless data.

"The global economy is still on drip feed, which is worrying when you think Lehmans collapse was more than a year ago," said Keith Edwards, head of asset management at Doha-based investment company The First Investor.

UAE stocks stuttered, again giving up much of the previous days gains to leave Dubai down 4.5 per cent for the week, while Abu Dhabi has lost 3.4 per cent over the same period.

Property-related shares were the hardest hit, with investors trying to reduce positions in subdued trading as Dubais volumes slumped to a seven-week low.

Emaar Properties fell 3.5 per cent, Arabtec slid 3.8 per cent and Deyaar lost 2.7 per cent.

World markets fell on Thursday, with investors reducing positions ahead of the release of US jobs data later in the day, while US stocks also ended Wednesday on a weak note after a Federal Reserve policy statement said it was keeping interest rates at near-zero for an extended period.

Low rates are normally a boon for equity markets, but analysts said investors were more concerned with the gloomy tone of the statement, which dampened hopes for a swift economic recovery.

"The correlation between Gulf and US markets has been exaggerated -- weve faced selling pressure all week after US markets fell sharply last Friday," said Mohamed Abu Ghoush, head of equities brokerage at Ahli Bank.

"Its time for Gulf investors to realise this is an overreaction and start rebuilding positions at these lower levels - todays seller might be tomorrows buyer."

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