US partially resumes arms sales to Bahrain

The administration of US President Barack Obama has said it will resume some arms shipments to Bahrain after most were suspended last year during a government crackdown on political dissent.

The state department said on Friday the administration still has human rights concerns about its strategic Gulf ally and will work with the government to improve the situation but that equipment for Bahrain's "external defence" would be released because it is in US national interests.

Bahrain hosts the US navy's 5th Fleet.

"Bahrain is an important security partner and ally in a region facing enormous challenges,'' State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.