Berlin 'rejects' Saudi political system despite tank sale

Berlin, July 9, IRNA -- German Defense Minister Thomas de Maziere stressed while Saudi Arabia does plays an 'important role within the Arab world,' his country does 'reject the political system' of that country.

Talking to the WDR5 radio station, the minister said Riyadh remained an 'important partner despite a political system which we reject.'

Meanwhile, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert emphasized
Berlin and Riyadh had 'differences on the human rights situation' in that Arab country.

Seibert said no one could deny that 'clear differences' did exist between both countries on the human rights issue.

The center-right government of Chancellor Angela Merkel has been under fire for the highly controversial sale of 200 Leopard 2 combat tanks to the Saudi regime amid ongoing human rights violations in that kingdom.

Critics of the tank deal have warned that the tanks could be deployed to crush internal dissent inside Saudi Arabia.

They also point to Saudis' invasion of Bahrain in mid-March and its prominent role in the deadly crackdown of the Bahraini pro-freedom movement in Bahrain.

In other related news, Germany's co-ruling parties comprised of Christian Democrats and Free Demcorats vetoed an opposition bid in the parliament to rescind the government decision to send tanks to Saudi Arabia./end