New York, March 11 - Concern about unrest in the Arab world coupled with worries about unemployment in the US sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average below 12,000 Thursday.

Violence in Libya has weighed down world markets since last month and protests planned for Saudi Arabia Friday stoked fears that the unrest that has rocked much of the Arab world could continue to spread.

Stocks were also hurt by weekly jobless claims, with the labour department reporting new claims rose by by 26,000 to 397,000 last week.

Meanwhile trade statistics showing China's exports slowing and the US trade deficit topping estimates also hurt the markets.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 228.48 points, or 1.87 percent, to 11,984.61. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 Index lost 24.91 points, or 1.89 percent, to 1,295.11. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index declined 50.70 points, or 1.84 percent, to 2,701.02.

The US currency gained against the euro to 75.50 euro cents from 71.92 euro cents Wednesday. The dollar was also up against the Japanese currency to 82.91 yen from 82.74 yen. (dpa)