Swiss lawmakers oppose government push to relax arms exports

FILE PHOTO: A logo of Swiss defence equipment maker RUAG is seen at a branch in Zurich, Switzerland March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

ZURICH (Reuters) - After an uproar over Swiss-made hand grenades found with Islamist militants, lawmakers on Wednesday voted to block the government from forcing through new weapons export rules aimed at allowing sales to nations fighting civil wars.

The lower house of the Swiss parliament voted 97-82 to stop the government from unilaterally deciding on criteria governing the sale of Swiss-made weapons abroad.