Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Germany has approved the delivery of combat platforms to Arab militaries.

The Federal Security Council has endorsed a recommendation by the government to export a range of combat platforms and equipment to Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The council’s decision on Feb. 4 ended months of debate over Germany’s expanded military policy toward Arab regimes deemed unstable.

“[German Chancellor] Angela Merkel remains true to herself: Human rights count less to the federal government than arms exports,” Jan Van Aken, spokesman of the Left Party, said.

The government decision included the export of 12 Leopard-2 main battle tanks to Kuwait. Officials also cited the delivery of 240 military radios to Egypt.

The Federal Security Council did not specify German arms exports to Saudi Arabia. But the council said Berlin would not send heavy weapons to Riyad.

Over the last two years, Germany was reported to have send MBTs and combat vehicles to several Gulf Cooperation Council states, including Qatar. Officials said Germany has sought to become a major arms exporter to the Middle East, including Israel.

  Merkel government approves Arab arms exports, WorldTribune.com