US approves $ 1bn arms sale to Saudi Arabia

The United States formally approved a $ 1 billion sale of arms to Saudi Arabia during the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the country.

The state department has confirmed its green light for the sale of $ 670 million in anti-tank missiles, $ 106 million for helicopter maintenance, and $ 300 million in spare parts for land vehicles.

"This proposed sale will strengthen US foreign policy and national security objectives to enhance the security of a friendly country," said the Defense Cooperation and Security Agency.

Western governments are under pressure from various sectors, including US lawmakers, to stop or reduce the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, which has been involved in a brutal civil war in Yemen.

But the United States, France and Britain continue to make lucrative arms sales and maintenance agreements for Riyadh.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman makes a three-week visit to the United States, and on Tuesday was welcomed by President Donald Trump in the White House.