German Split Opens Over Blocked Sale of Tanks to Saudi Arabia
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A split opened in Germany’s ruling coalition over the blocked sale of Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia as a growing number of lawmakers call for supporting an ally in the battle against terror.
Signs that opposition to selling the Leopard may be weakening emerged last week as a 120-strong German delegation headed to Riyadh for talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and other Saudi leaders. The group is led by Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who has partly justified a clampdown on the sale on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.