The United States is planning a series of arms deals worth at least $20bn with Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf states, US newspapers are reporting.

The New York Times and The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the Bush administration was preparing to ask congress to approve the arms sales over the next decade.

Five other oil-rich Gulf States - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE - are likely to receive equipment and weaponry from the arms sales.

Israel and Egypt are also to benefit from military aid, the newspapers said.

The state department and the White House made no comment.

Unnamed state department and Pentagon officials were quoted as saying the military assistance would provide $30bn in new US aid to Israel and $13bn to Egypt over 10 years.

The arms deals, said to be the largest negotiated by this administration, would include the sale of sophisticated weaponry.

Officials said the sales to Saudi Arabia were expected to include air-to-air missiles as well as joint direct attack munitions, which turn standard bombs into "smart" precision-guided bombs, the reports said.

The deals are designed to support US allies in the Middle East as a counterweight to regional power Iran.

The reports said the common goal of the military aid packages and arms sales is to strengthen pro-Western countries at a time when Iran seeks to extend its power in the region.

One official was quoted as saying: "This is a big development, because it's part of a larger regional strategy and the maintenance of a strong US presence in the region.

"We're paying attention to the needs of our allies and what everyone in the region believes is a flexing of muscles by a more aggressive Iran. One way to deal with that is to make our allies and friends strong."

Bearing on Iraq

The New York Times also reported that the timing of the plan was creating concern within Israel. Some US officials say the Saudi government is not helping the situation in Iraq, and is supporting Sunni fighters against the Shia leadership there.

Officials said such concerns had been sidestepped as the Bush administration was also offering massive military aid to Israel.

Administration officials remain concerned, however, that the package could draw opposition from some in congress who are critical of the Saudi government.

Assurances from the Saudis about being more supportive in Iraq were not sought by the administration as part of the deal.

The administration's plans will be announced on Monday before Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, and Robert Gates, the defense secretary, travel to the Middle East.

State Department and Pentagon officials had started briefing members of congress about their intentions over the past week, the newspapers also reported.

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US Defense Secretary Robert Gates (archive)