An arms fair taking place in London this week will be run for the last time by its current owner Reed Elsevier, which is putting it up for sale. Campaigners say they believe it may be the beginning of the end for the military exhibition.

Peace and church-related organizations are expressing “delight” at the impending closure of Britain’s prime arms exports promotion organization, following an announcement by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown has said he will shut down the main government overseas arms sales office – at least in its present form. Peace campaigners want this to signal a more basic shift away from the promotion of military exports.

Hundreds of campaigners, including many Christians, have formed a human chain around the headquarters of DESO (Defence Export Services Organisation), a Government unit that secures business for private arms companies.