Britain suspends new Saudi arms licences linked to Yemen

LONDON: Britain on Thursday temporarily suspended approving new Saudi arms export licenses that might contribute to the Gulf kingdom's four-year bombing campaign in neighbouring Yemen.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox announced the decision after a British court ordered the government to "reconsider" the sales due to their civilian toll.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst existing humanitarian crisis.

"We disagree with the judgement and will seek permission to appeal," Fox said in a statement delivered in parliament.

"While we do this, we will not grant any new licenses to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners which might be used in the conflict in Yemen."

Shares in Britain's BAE Systems defence and aerospace giant lost nearly four percent of their value within the first few hours of the government's announcement.