A report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that Saudi Arabia and Israel have the highest military expenditure in the Middle East.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia has turned into the world's ninth military spender.

Saudi Arabia's military expenditure mounted to $ 38.2 billion in 2008.

Israel is the second military spender in the Middle East, with a military expenditure of $ 16 billion in 2008; IRNA quoted the report as saying.

The report shows that the US has been the first military spender in the world, with a military expenditure of $ 607 billion in 2008.

MGH/DT