US senate clears $1.15 bln arms sale to Saudi Arabia

The United States senate on Wednesday approved the $1.15 billion sale of tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia by blocking the bill to stop the legislation against the controversial deal.

Last month, the Pentagon announced that the State Department had approved the potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored recovery vehicles, and other equipment to Saudi Arabia.

Republican senator Rand Paul and Democratic senator Chris Murphy were seeking to block the deal, citing concerns that included Saudi Arabia's role in the war in Yemen and that the sale might fuel an ongoing regional arms race.

Those backing the deal, however, pointed out that Saudi Arabia is an important US ally in a war-torn region and is deserving of US support.