SAUDIS ARMS AGREEMENT WITH US

RIYADH : Saudi Arabia has agreed to buy about $7 billion worth of precision guided munitions from US defense contractors, sources familiar with the matter said-

A deal that some lawmakers may object to over American weapons having contributed to civilian deaths in the Saudi campaign in Yemen.

Raytheon Co and Boeing Co are the companies selected, the sources said, in a deal that was part of  $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. Arm sales to the kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Council member states 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 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 Yemen  civil war pits Iran-allied Houthi rebels against the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Nearly 4,800 civilians have been killed since March 2015, the United Nations said in March-

Saudi Arabia has either denied attacks or cited the presence of fighters in the targeted areas and has 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 that his country will follow through on the agreements signed during President Trump's visit.

He said that while the  Kingdom has always chosen the United States for weapon purchases, ''Saudi Arabia's market selection remains a choice is committed to defending its security.''