US Sec of State Pompeo reiterates support for 'robust' plan of arms sales to Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a joint press brief with his Saudi counterpart at State Department on Wednesday, October 14 said that US backs a "robust" program to provide weapons to Saudi Arabia. 

"Today, we reaffirmed our mutual commitment to countering Iranian malign activity and threat it poses to regional security and prosperity and security of American people as well," said Pompeo. " United States supports a robust program of arms sales to Saudi Arabia in line with efforts of kingdom to protect its citizens and sustain American jobs", he ded. 

RE: Saudi Arabia Fails To Join United Nations Human Rights Council, China Gets A Seat

$8.1 billion in emergency arms sales

According to reports, Trump ministration has been criticised for its approval of more than $8.1 billion in emergency arms sales to Saudi Arabia and or Arab nations to counter threat posed by Islamic Republic of Iran.

However, Inspector-General of State Department is reported to have said that US authorities did t measure risks that weapons would pose to civilians, particularly in war-torn Yemen where a Saudi-led Arab alliance has been conducting dely air raids on Iran-backed Houthi rebels. 

RE: China And Russia Win Seats On UN Rights Council, Saudis Lose

As per reports, emergency arms deal came amid objections from US Congress which demanded to block sale of weapons to Kingdom as well as cut diplomatic relations in response to murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Meanwhile, in September, a United Nations human rights expert called on United States to consider halting sale of surveillance equipment to Saudi Arabia at a congressional hearing. UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions Agnes Callamard me comments in light of Khashoggi case. She furr ded that ban on export of surveillance equipment to Saudi Arabia should only be lifted if country showed a marked improvement in its human right track record.

In dition to a ban on export of equipment, UN Special Rapporteur told US House Intelligence Committee that an investigation was also required in order to reveal any kind of misuse of surveillance equipment sent to Saudi Arabia from US.
In October 2018, Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He was a vocal critic of Saudi royal family and while Riyh at first denied any kwledge of killing, Kingdom was later found to have played a crucial role in his murder.

RE: China Anunces Stricter Rules For Muslims Visiting Saudi Arabia For Hajj Pilgrim

RE: Saudi's National Commercial Bank Buys Samba In $14.8B Deal

Inputs/Im: ANI