Germany is ready to sell more than 200 Leopard tanks to Saudi Arabia in a multi-billion euro deal after the government's security council gave its stamp of approval last week, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Sunday.

A government spokesman declined to comment on the report that said Saudi Arabia was interested in acquiring more than 200 2A7+ tanks, saying the government provided no information on security council decisions or individual export deals.

The opposition Greens and the Left party said they would condemn the weapons sale to Saudi Arabia if it were confirmed, pointing out it would be a violation of restrictions on arms exports.

The tanks are made by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall.

Der Spiegel said Saudi Arabia has long sought the Leopard tanks from Germany but the country had repeatedly turned down the requests, citing a danger to Israel.

The report said the government no longer considered Saudi Arabia a threat for Israel.

 

Source: Der Spiegel; Reuters