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Spain suspends military export licenses to Egypt

MADRID, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- Spain suspended Wednesday all military export licenses to Egypt, including military aircraft, which account for over 90 percent of Spanish sales to that country.
The Spanish news agency, quoting government sources, reported that the Inter-Ministerial Regulatory Board on Foreign Trade in Defense and Dual Use (JIMDDU), consisting of a representation of ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Economy, decided during an extraordinary meeting to suspend the sale of all kinds of military materials and transport aircraft C-295 manufactured in a factory in Seville to Egypt.
In a similar move, Britain suspended 49 export licenses to Egypt on Wednesday, saying it wanted to prevent British goods being used in unrest that has led to civilian deaths in the Arab country.
Wednesday's suspension, which applies to licenses for the Egyptian army, air force and internal security forces, covers a range of equipment, including spares for helicopters and aircraft, specialist software and communications equipment.
The moves come days after the European Union decision on August 22 to suspend the export licenses for any equipment that could be used for repression in Egypt. (end) hnd.ibi KUNA 290129 Aug 13NNNN