Pressure mounts on gov't after MEPs call for arms sales ban to Saudi Arabia

European lawmakers on Thursday adopted a resolution by 539 votes to 13, with 81 abstentions, condemning the ongoing violence in Yemen and urging EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to impose an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, given the serious allegations that the Gulf state is breaching international humanitarian law.

Greek MEP Constantina Kouneva from ruling SYRIZA, Manolis Kefaloyiannis from conservative New Democracy and Nikos Hountis from Popular Unity were among those who backed the resolution.

The decision is expected to put more pressure on the leftist-led government in Athens, which has come under fire in recent weeks over a controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia from the opposition but also from within its own ranks.

Several high-ranking officials within the ruling party have called for the cancellation of the agreement on the grounds...