Germany's SPD wants to extend Saudi arms export halt despite UK-French pressure

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (R) speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China February 22, 2019. How Hwee Young/Pool via REUTERS

BERLIN (Reuters) - The Social Democrats, junior partners in Germany's ruling coalition, want to extend a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia beyond March 9, despite pressure by Britain and France not to do so and a risk of costly compensation claims.

Rolf Muetzenich, SPD deputy leader in parliament, said his party would fight to maintain the halt in shipments of already approved weapons deals with Riyadh that Berlin imposed in November over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.