Joe Biden's new US government has suspended sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia and F-35 fighters to the United Arab Emirates in order to "
reconsider
" the decision taken under President Donald Trump, the Department of Defense said on Wednesday. 'American state.
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Washington "
temporarily suspends the implementation of certain transfers and current sales of American defense equipment
", "
to allow the new leaders to re-examine them
", assured an official questioned by AFP.
It is about "
ensuring that arms sales by the United States meet our strategic objectives
", he added, referring to "
a routine administrative measure typical of most transitions
".
The measure is however spectacular because it concerns in particular precision munitions promised to Saudi Arabia, and F-35s sold to the United Arab Emirates in exchange for the recognition by this Gulf country of the State of Israel, under the aegis of Donald Trump.
Riyadh, a very close ally of the United States, especially under the Trump administration, is leading a military coalition in support of the Yemen government in the conflict between it and the Houtis rebels, supported by Iran.
The Emirates are also part of it.
However, Democrats and some Republicans have long denounced American support for this coalition, accused of numerous blunders against civilians.
Democrats narrowly failed to block the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Abu Dhabi in December.
The new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged last week to "
end
" American support "
for the military campaign led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen
".