LONDON — Britain will temporarily suspend the approval of any new licenses to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, the government said on Thursday, after a court ruled that ministers had acted unlawfully in allowing the sale of weapons when there was a clear possibility they might be used in violation of international humanitarian law in Yemen.

Speaking in Parliament, Liam Fox, the secretary of state for international trade, said although the government disagreed with the court’s decision and would appeal it, the government was obligated to reconsider its decisions.

“We are carefully considering the implications of the judgment for decision making,” Mr. Fox said. “While we do this, we will not grant any new licenses for exports to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners that might be used in the conflict in Yemen.”

Yemen has been the site of a four-year long war between a Saudi-led coalition, which is backed by the United States, and Houthi rebels, who have the support of Iran, that has devastated the country.