Meloni’s govt lifts restrictions on the export of bombs and missiles to Saudi Arabia
Meloni’s govt has lifted embargo it imposed in 2019 on the export of military weapons to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Italian government lifted restrictions today on the export of military weapons to Saudi Arabia, Arab News reported today.
Italy made the decision public at the end of a Council of Ministers meeting. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chaired the meeting of the Council.
Italian bombs and fighter jets on display as Italy lifts restrictions on export of bombs and missiles to Saudi Arabia.
In an official communique Italian government said, “The decision is in accordance with the foreign and defense policy of the country.”
Notably, the Italian government imposed restrictions on the export of weapons to Saudi Arabia in 2019 to prevent their use in the conflict in Yemen.
The Italian government added: “Today there is no more reason to keep those restrictions standing any longer.”
“The regional context in Yemen has changed, and since April 2022, partly thanks to the truce, military activities have been sensibly circumscribed.”
Italy now believes that the reduction in military operations “significantly also mitigates the risk of misuse of bombs and missiles, particularly against civilian targets.”
Rome also acknowledged that the Kingdom “has pursued intensive diplomatic activity in support of UN mediation. The KSA was also active in a decisive manner on the economic and humanitarian assistance front.”
In view of the “changed situation, the export of bombs and missiles to Saudi Arabia does not fall under the prohibitions of the Italian laws,” Council noted. Courtesy Arab News
