RIYADH, 15 October — Saudi businessmen have accused UN Sanctions Committee of obstructing contracts worth SR673.2 million ($180 million) they had won from Iraq to supply food and other products in line with the oil for food program. The Saudis have received approval from the committee for contracts worth only SR18.2 million ($4.9 million) this year. They included deals to supply foodstuff worth SR14.5 million and chemicals worth SR3.8 million. The contracts which have not been sanctioned by the committee are for foodstuff worth SR336 million, chemicals valued at SR58 million, equipment and spare parts worth SR220.8 million, medical supplies for SR31 million, electrical materials worth SR12 million and plastic products worth SR1.3 million. Saudi authorities have intensified their contacts with the UN committee to get the approval for more Saudi exports to the sanction-hit country. — Omar Al-Zobaidy