WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) – The US State Department has approved a potential agreement covering up to $500 million in military support services for Saudi Arabia, and has sent the agreement to Congress for review, the Pentagon said on Thursday. It was the first major defense agreement for Saudi Arabia sent to Congress since President Joe Biden took office on January 20. It comes after criticism of US ties to the kingdom over its human rights record and involvement in the civil war in Yemen. The package would provide continued maintenance support services for a wide range of helicopters, including a future fleet of CH-47D Chinook helicopters. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Mike Stone; Editing by Karishma SinghIMAGE: Helicopters fly in formation during a military parade in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca September 17, 2015.
