Source: The Christian Post
WASHINGTON – An inter-religious group that works globally for the advancement of religious freedom and democracy denounced recent U.S. plans to sell billions worth of arms to Saudi Arabia – notorious for spreading Islamic extremist ideology and for its human rights violations.
“Saudi Arabia has repeatedly demonstrated that it is not interested in a relationship with the United States based on mutual values and concerns,” said Joseph K. Grieboski, founder and president of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, in a statement Monday. “Instead, the Saudi regime uses its immense resources to export terrorism, religious extremism, intolerance, and instability.”
Over the weekend officials said they would soon seek Congress approval for an arms package worth reportedly some $20 billion over the next 10 years for Saudi Arabia and five other oil-rich Gulf states. Officials said they hope the arms will counter Iranian influence, according to Agence France-Presse.