After July 2012, arms used to commit atrocities and serious crimes may become harder to buy, and harder to sell internationally.

The Department for Business is still demanding money from the Egyptian government to pay for loans made to ex-dictator Mubarak to allow him to buy arms.

Campaigners have called on governments meeting at the United Nations to ensure no weapons or munitions are sold to human rights abusers.

South African and Swedish church leaders have reiterated grave concerns that a 10-year-old arms deal that involved Sweden with South Africa threatens the fledgling African democracy.