MIDEAST STOCKS-Egypt extends rally on positive news

Egypt's stock market rose in early trade on Thursday, supported by positive news from companies as well as by technical factors. Telecom Egypt jumped 2.3 percent after the firm's chairman told the Mubasher news website that it was in talks with Vodafone Egypt for the release of about 1.5 billion pounds ($192 million) of the latter's retained earnings. Telecom Egypt has a 45 percent stake in Vodafone Egypt.