US pushes Middle East arms sales

The sales come as the US escalates its military action in Iraq and threatens to start a war.

The Pentagon said the proposed sales would enhance the security of friendly states who are "an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East".

In a notice to Congress on Wednesday, which was made public on Thursday, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency recommended the deals be approved along with sales to Taiwan, India and Malaysia.

Congress has 30 days to approve the deals but it has never rejected a Defense Department recommendation for foreign weapons sales.

VIP transport

The UAE could buy five refurbished and up-graded E-2C Hawkeye tactical warning aircraft, made by Northrop Grumman, plus radar units and parts for up to $400m.

The Hawkeye planes are used to direct armed forces and co-ordinate communications.

Egypt wants to buy missiles, vehicles and radars worth $315m.

The deal includes more than 450 Hellfire air-to-ground anti-tank missiles for use by Apache attack helicopters, plus 500 Humvee vehicles and a dozen Sentinel air defence radars, the Pentagon said.

Another proposed sale covers two Gulfstream G-IV SP aircraft and two VIP Blackhawk helicopters for transporting Egypt's top brass, the Pentagon said.

Kuwaiti Apaches

On Tuesday, Boeing said Kuwait would buy 16 Apache Longbow AH-64 attack helicopters plus missiles, guidance systems, spare parts and maintenance worth $2.1bn as recommended by the Pentagon in April.

The Pentagon's notice to Congress also included proposals for a $1.5bn sale to Malaysia of 18 F/A-18F fighters built by Boeing, four Firefinder counter-battery artillery radar systems for India worth $100m and amphibious assault vehicles, air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground anti-tank missiles worth $250m for Taiwan.