Norway halts defence export licences to Saudi Arabia

Norway said Friday it has decided to stop issuing new licences for exports of defence-related products or dual-use items for military use to Saudi Arabia.

"We have decided that, in the current situation, no new licences are to be granted for exports of defence-related products or dual-use items for military use to Saudi Arabia," Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Soreide was quoted as saying in a statement.

"We stopped processing new applications some time ago, pending this decision," Soreide said, adding "Norway has never allowed exports of arms or ammunition to Saudi Arabia."

The decision was taken after "an overall assessment of recent developments in Saudi Arabia and the region, and the unpredictable situation in Yemen," read the statement.

The Norwegian foreign ministry said it is not aware that the country's defence-related products have been used in Yemen and the decision reflects the strict precautionary approach taken by Norway.