Britain on Friday signed a multi-billion-pound preliminary order for Saudi Arabia to purchase 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, despite its criticism of the kingdom’s war in Yemen. The “memorandum of intent” to buy the jets came on the last day of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s three-day visit to the UK. Rebranding the KingdomPrince Mohammed, who may rule Saudi Arabia for decades when the king dies, has sought to re-brand the image of the conservative monarchy. His visit to the UK was marred by street protests against arms sales to the kingdom. Germany earlier this year halted arms sales to the parties involved in the Yemen conflict, prompting Saudi Arabia to say it would find weapons elsewhere.

Source: Egypt Independent March 10, 2018 10:52 UTC