Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said that his government wants to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and intends to formalise the decision, Independent reported.

The move comes after months of controversy around the Gulf state, due to its ongoing involvement in the Yemen conflict and the murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi.

If the decision goes ahead, Italy would join a growing list of nations choosing to halt arms sales to the Saudis.

“We are not in favour of the sale of these weapons and so now it is only a question of formalising this position and acting accordingly,” Mr Conte told reporters at the prime minister’s traditional end-year news conference.