The US has partially resuming sales of military supplies Bahrain after having frozen the shipments last year after the Arab state cracked down on human rights protesters.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said "the items that we are releasing are not used for crowd control," urging Bahrain to tackle "serious unresolved human rights issues" amid a crackdown on pro-democracy activists.
Tear gas and stun grenades were excluded from the sales, according to US officials. A senior US administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity that a frigate and harbor security boats as well as upgraded F-16 engines would be transferred to Bahrain.
The equipment and services were released "for the purpose of helping Bahrain maintain its external defense capabilities," Ms Nuland said in a statement that did not describe the items.
Washington "will continue to maintain the holds on the TOW missiles and Humvees that were notified to Congress last October," amid concerns they could be used against protesters, she added.
Ms Nuland was referring to Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile, as well as the all-terrain Humvees that have replaced the traditional jeep.
A Congressional Research Service report last month said Washington had not discontinued arms sales and anti-terrorism aid to Bahrain, but some of the supplies remained on hold or were at reduced levels following the unrest.
Bahrain serves as the headquarters for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which patrols the Gulf amid perceived threats to Arab allies in the region from neighboring Iran.
The announcement on military cooperation came amid a visit to the United States by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here Wednesday.
Mrs Clinton said "much work remains to fully address ongoing human rights issues," according to Ms Nuland, after the pair discussed Bahrain's efforts to implement recommendations from an independent probe into the crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
The chief US diplomat urged the Bahraini government to take action that "leads to meaningful institutional and political reforms," Ms Nuland said.
King Hamad promised reforms after the independent commission probing Bahrain's March 2011 crackdown on Shiite-led democracy protests reported in November that police had used "excessive force" and tortured detainees.
Amnesty International says 60 people have been killed in Bahrain since the uprising began in mid-February 2011.
Witnesses said Friday that Bahraini police fired tear gas and birdshot during overnight clashes with protesters demanding the release of jailed opposition activists, wounding several demonstrators.
"We are concerned about excessive use of force and tear gas by police," Ms Nuland said.
"At the same time, we are concerned by the almost daily use of violence by some protesters. We urge all sides to work together to end the violence."
She warned that the "country is becoming increasingly polarised."
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