Small arms imports to Middle Eastern countries doubled: UN

The most recent United Nations figures available show that small arms and light weapons sales to Middle Eastern countries have nearly doubled in dollar terms over the course of a year.

Researchers from the Small Arms Survey said that sales to the Middle East jumped to $630 million in 2013 from $342 million a year earlier.

They said the US was the largest exporter of small arms, followed by Italy and Germany.

The researchers, who analysed trade data, said 2013 is the most recent year that data was available and able to be analysed for their report.

The report found that the world's biggest exporters of small arms delivered about $6 billion in weapons and ammunition in 2013. That's a nearly 17% increase from 2012.