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Graphic shows arms deliveries to Saudia Arabia from 2013 to 2017.
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BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia arms imports

By Duncan Mil

October 24, 2018 - Germany has stopped arms sales to Saudi Arabia, joining Belgium, Greece, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Spain in wholly or partly halting arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Speaking on Sunday, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the arms freeze in the wake of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Bonn exported €416.4 million ($477.5) of weapons to Riyadh in the year to the end of September, making the kingdom Germany’s second-best arms customer after Algeria.

Meanwhile, several countries -- including Belgium, Greece and Norway -- have responded to public pressure by partly or suspending arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other coalition members.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s willing to freeze a C$14.8bn ($11.3bn) deal to export armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia following the killing of Khashoggi.

Sweden, which cancelled a defence agreement with Riyadh last year, has suffered little economic hardship in relations with Saudi Arabia.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 24/10/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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