Saudi amb: Decree on women’s driving 'part of economic reform'

WASHINGTON – Saudi Ambassador in Washington Prince Khalid bin Salman asserted Tuesday that the Royal decree to grant the Saudi women the right to drive comes as part of the economic reform march.

Sky News Channel quoted the Saudi diplomat as saying that a woman would no longer need to take permission from a male guardian to issue a driving license.

The decision will allow any woman, who obtained a driving license from the GCC countries, to take the wheel in the Kingdom, the Saudi ambassador said.

The royal decree, read by an announcer of state television and signed by King Salman, said traffic laws would be amended, including to allow the government to issue driver’s licenses “to men and women alike.”