Saudi king swears in first women members of advisory council

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Tuesday swore in the country's first female members of the Shura Council, an appointed body that advises on new laws, in a move that has riled conservative clerics in the Islamic monarchy.               

Abdullah, who has not been seen on television since shortly after a back operation in November, was shown on state media sitting in a palace chamber to give a short speech as he swore in the new council members.                                   

King Abdullah is seen as having pushed to cautiously advance the role of women in Saudi society.                                

"Your place in the Shura Council is not as those who have been honored, but as those who have been charged with a duty, as you represent part of society," he said, addressing the new women members.       

Saudi Arabia's government is entirely appointed by the king, who is also prime minister. The country's only elections are for half the seats on municipal councils that have few powers.
               
Women will also have the right to vote and stand for office in the next municipal ballot, Abdullah said in 2011.                     

The decision to appoint women to the Shura Council prompted a protest by dozens of conservative clerics outside the royal court in January.                          

They complained that the move, and other reforms aimed at making it easier for women to work, went against sharia law.            

In the ultra-conservative kingdom, women are banned from driving and need the consent of a male "guardian" to work, travel abroad or open a bank account.


REUTERS