Abu Dhabi arms fair: Tanks, guns, teargas and trade at Idex 2011

But this was Idex 2011, the Middle East's biggest arms fair. The show of arms was choreographed for the benefit of thousands of arms dealers in dark suits and sunglasses, who marvelled at how it was all synchronised to a booming hip-hop soundtrack.

Inside the exhibition hall, brimming with weapons – from Predator drones to the latest digital camouflaged assault rifle, few could ignore the real violence happening in Libya and Bahrain.

In the British pavilion, the UK delegation angling for arms contracts, led by Gerald Howarth, the defence minister, came under growing pressure to explain the UK's role in arming dictatorial and repressive regimes in the region after the government revoked 44 licences to sell arms to Bahrain and eight licences for Libya.

British companies offer a range of products useful for controlling hostile crowds – two stands were selling teargas grenades, stun grenades and rubber bullets.

Read more in The Guardian...