Australia will not ban arms sales to countries involved in Yemeni civil war

Defence department says it will weigh risks of sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite calls from human rights groups to follow Joe Biden's lead

Australia is not planning a blanket ban on military equipment sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - but says it will weigh up emerging risks" when considering export applications.

Civil society groups have urged Australia to follow the lead of the new US president, Joe Biden, who announced last week he was ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen".