Washington, Shawwal 08, 1431, SPA -- A Senate committee on Thursday endorsed a major arms-control treaty with Russia, advancing one of President Barack Obama’s top foreign policy goals. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 14 to 4 to approve the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Three Republicans voted with the committee’s Democrats, a sign that Obama may get the votes needed for final passage by the full Senate. But it remains unclear whether the chamber will consider the treaty this year. Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the treaty in April. It would shrink the limit on strategic warheads to 1,550 for each country, down about one-third from the current ceiling of 2,200. The agreement also would implement changes in current procedures that allow both countries to inspect each other’s arsenals and verify compliance. --SPA Democrats had delayed a committee vote on the treaty as they sought broader support from Republicans-difficult to find in a fierce election year. They will need at least eight Republican votes in the 100-seat Senate to have the two-thirds majority needed for treaty ratification. Most Republicans have remained uncommitted on the treaty for months. A few have argued that START does not establish adequate procedures for ensuring that Russia abides by its terms, and they fear Moscow could use the treaty to limit U.S. missile-defense plans. Obama wants the new START ratified this year as part of his “reset” of relations with Moscow and a step toward his stated goal of a world without nuclear weapons. Russia’s parliament also must ratify the treaty, but it is waiting to see what the U.S. Senate does. 11:55 LOCAL TIME 08:55 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/817775