Britain’s arms exporters ‘cash in’ on Arab Spring

British arms exporters appear to have "cashed in" on the Arab Spring by selling almost 30 per cent more weapons to the Middle East and North Africa in the first half of 2011 that during the same period in 2010.

An investigation by the Times shows arms worth £30.5m were exported to countries including Libya, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia between February and June. Last year, the comparative figure was £22.2m.

Weapons sold include small-arms ammunition, sniper rifles, shotguns and submachineguns - all suitable for use in putting down internal protests. This was despite the Foreign Office promising in February an "immediate and rapid" review of all military exports to the region.

The government is accused of having "no coherence" to its arms policy.

Read a full report at the Times (subscription). ·