US plans USD 4.6 billion in Mideast arms sales

The Bush administration spelled out plans on Friday to sell USD 4.6 billion of arms to moderate Arab states, including battle tanks worth as much as USD 2.9 billion to protect critical Saudi infrastructure.

The announcement came two weeks after the administration said it would sell Israel its latest supply of JP-8 aviation fuel valued at up to USD 210 million to help Israeli warplanes "keep peace and security in the region." (Reuters)