Tokyo stocks end higher on potential diplomatic progress in Middle East

TOKYO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks rose Tuesday as reports of potential diplomatic progress in the Middle East triggered a sharp pullback in oil prices, though gains were pared by fears that the conflict in the region could drag on.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 736.79 points, or 1.43 percent, from Monday at 52,252.28. The broader Topix index finished 73.23