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Trump uses veto to unblock $8bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia | Trump uses veto to unblock $8bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia |
(32 minutes later) | |
The US president has vetoed resolutions in Congress to block the sale of $8.1bn (£6.5bn) worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. | |
Donald Trump said the three resolutions "would weaken America's global competitiveness" and damage its relationship with its allies. | Donald Trump said the three resolutions "would weaken America's global competitiveness" and damage its relationship with its allies. |
It comes after both chambers of Congress voted to prevent the sale. | |
Some members of Congress said they feared the weapons could be used on civilians in the Yemen conflict. | |
They have condemned Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen as well as last year's murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. | |
The Senate would hold a vote within days on whether to override Mr Trump's veto, Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. | The Senate would hold a vote within days on whether to override Mr Trump's veto, Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. |
But analysts say it is almost certain that the Senate will not have the necessary two-thirds majority to do so. | But analysts say it is almost certain that the Senate will not have the necessary two-thirds majority to do so. |
It is the third time Mr Trump has used his veto power since taking office. | It is the third time Mr Trump has used his veto power since taking office. |
In May, the White House issued a national emergency declaration to bypass legislators and push through the weapons sale. | In May, the White House issued a national emergency declaration to bypass legislators and push through the weapons sale. |
At the time Mr Trump said he made the decision because of the threat posed by Iran. | At the time Mr Trump said he made the decision because of the threat posed by Iran. |
But the move sparked fierce opposition on Capitol Hill from those who feared the weapons could be used against civilians in Yemen by Saudi-led forces. | But the move sparked fierce opposition on Capitol Hill from those who feared the weapons could be used against civilians in Yemen by Saudi-led forces. |
Lawmakers including some Senate Republicans also said there was no legitimate reason to bypass Congress. | Lawmakers including some Senate Republicans also said there was no legitimate reason to bypass Congress. |
However, in issuing his veto Mr Trump suggested that barring the sale of US weapons could prolong the conflict in Yemen and that "without precision-guided munitions, more - not fewer - civilians are likely to become casualties". | However, in issuing his veto Mr Trump suggested that barring the sale of US weapons could prolong the conflict in Yemen and that "without precision-guided munitions, more - not fewer - civilians are likely to become casualties". |
He also insisted that Saudia Arabia and the UAE were a "bulwark against the malign activities of Iran and its proxies in the region". | He also insisted that Saudia Arabia and the UAE were a "bulwark against the malign activities of Iran and its proxies in the region". |
Tensions between the US and Iran have risen sharply since Mr Trump took the US out of a deal between Iran and world powers to curb Iran's nuclear programme. | Tensions between the US and Iran have risen sharply since Mr Trump took the US out of a deal between Iran and world powers to curb Iran's nuclear programme. |
The US says it downed at least one Iranian drone last week and has blamed Iran for a series of attacks on tankers in the Gulf. Iran shot down a US drone in June. | The US says it downed at least one Iranian drone last week and has blamed Iran for a series of attacks on tankers in the Gulf. Iran shot down a US drone in June. |
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