Senate leader opposes effort to block U.S. arms sale to Saudis

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would oppose an effort in Congress to pass a measure that seeks to block the sale of $1.15 billion in Abrams tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

The Republican lawmaker told a weekly news conference that Saudi Arabia had been a good ally of the United States for many years and it was important to maintain as strong a relationship as possible with Riyadh.