Arms Treaty Wins Support From UN Members

Almost 100 countries have submitted ideas for a treaty regulation for the international arms trade, according to UN officials.

The treaty, to be reviewed over the next year, aims to control trade in weapons that contribute to conflict and atrocities, news agency the Associated Press reports.

Despite widespread support, the US is the only country of the world's top 10 arms suppliers not to file a requested report to the UN outlining its views of the treaty.

A deputy assistant secretary of state Richard Kidd says a report has not been filed, as the US is yet to decide its position.

Last December the US was the only country of 153 member states to oppose initiation of the new treaty process.

However, Russia and China have expressed only lukewarm support in their reports to the council.

By staff writer