Arab states spent $53 billion on arms in year 2000 alone

The Arab states in 2000 spent 27.4 per cent of their total spending to defence and security, while only 9.1 per cent was allocated for economic affairs, a report said.

Gulf News had reported "With total expenditure standing at $197.7 billion in 2000, defence allocations were estimated at around $53 billion while spending on economic activities and other investments stood at nearly $17.7 billion."

"The GCC (Gulf states) spent for defence and security around 35 per cent of their total expenditure. This means they spent around $34 billion on defence in 2000, nearly 64 per cent of the total Arab military expenditure" Gulf News reported.

In 1997 Arab states spent $35.7 billion on weapons. This Êfigure rose to $38.7 billion a year later."

Between 1995 and 2000, the Arab Gulf states spent around $580 billion, about 30 per cent of this went to defense and security, adding up to $173 billion, the report said.