In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, recent geopolitical developments have increased attention to oil markets, with Libya's escalating situation receiving particular attention. 

Major share markets turned hesitant in Asia on Monday, while the dollar and bond yields were on the wane ahead of inflation data that investors hope will pave the way for rate cuts in the United States and Europe.

Bitcoin’s price fell slightly on Monday as a weekend rebound ran out of steam, although growing optimism over interest rate cuts kept the cryptocurrency trading close to a near one-month high. 

Oil prices extended gains on Monday on fears a major spillover in fighting from the Gaza conflict into the Middle East could disrupt regional oil supplies, while approaching U.S. interest rate cuts lifted the global economic and fuel demand outlook.

Gold prices fell slightly in Asian trade on Monday, but remained in sight of record highs last week as the prospect of lower U.S. interest rates battered the dollar and presented a brighter outlook for metal markets. 

Most Asian currencies firmed on Monday with the Japanese yen rising sharply amid increasing bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September, which put the dollar at 13-month lows.