*WASHINGTON: *The United States formally approved defense contractstotalling more than $1 billion with Saudi Arabia on Thursday, as thekingdom’s crown prince continued his American tour.

The State Department confirmed it had green-lighted a $670 million deal foranti-tank missiles, a $106 million contract for helicopter maintenance and$300 million for ground vehicle parts.

An official said the deals had been in the pipeline since President DonaldTrump agreed more than $100 billion in contracts on a visit to Riyadh lastyear, but were now formalized. – APP/AFP