Saudi Arabia agrees $7 billion US arms deal

The kingdom bought precision guided munitions from American firms Raytheon Co and Boeing Co, Reuters reported, in a deal likely to spark outrage over the weapons' use in the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen.

The deal was part of a $110 billion weapons agreement that coincided with President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in May.
Both companies declined comment on the weapons sale.
Arms sales to the kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Council members have become increasingly contentious in the US Congress, which must approve such sales.

The US State Department has yet to formally notify Congress of the precision guided munitions deal.

"We do not comment to confirm or deny sales until they are formally notified to Congress," a State Department official said, adding the US government will take into account factors "including regional balance and human rights as well as the impact on the US defence industrial base."

The Saudi-led coalition has been backing the Yemen government fighting Iran-allied Houthis rebels since March 2015 - a bloody war that has killed thousands of civilians and pushed the poorest Arab country to the brink of famine.

Amnesty International is among human rights groups that have reported US-made weapons were used in Saudi strikes on residential areas.

Saudi Arabia has either denied attacks or cited the presence of fighters in the targeted areas and said it has tried to reduce civilian casualties.
Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Washington, Prince Khalid bin Salman declined to comment on the specific sale, but said in a statement his country will follow through on the agreements signed during Trump's visit.

Saudi Arabia 'agrees $7 billion US arms deal'