UK to resume issuing Saudi Arabia arms export licenses

Licensing had been suspended last year after a British court ruled that the government violated British law by selling arms without examining whether the weapons may be used to harm noncombatants.
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Amnesty International activists march with homemade replica missiles bearing the message "Made in Britain, destroying lives in Yemen," across Westminster Bridge toward Downing Street during a protest over UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia on March 18, 2016, in London, England. - Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

The British government can legally resume issuing licenses to export weapons to Saudi Arabia, the country’s trade minister said yesterday.

Licensing was suspended last year after a court ruled that the government violated British law by covertly selling arms to Riyadh without duly examining whether the weapons may be used to harm noncombatants.

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