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Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive, state media reported late Tuesday, citing a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, on Tuesday.

The decree has ordered that a ministerial body be set up to give advice within 30 days and that the order will be implemented by June 2018.
** Women will be allowed to drive cars for the first time in Saudi Arabia; the decree that will be implemented by June 24, 2018

** There are about 10 million women, including foreigners, over the age of 20 living in the Kingdom, according to the official statistics bureau

"The royal decree will implement the provisions of traffic regulations, including the issuance of driving licenses for men and women alike," the Saudi Press Agency said.

"Saudi Arabia allows women to drive," the Kingdom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Twitter, according to Arab News.

To celebrate Tuesday's decree, several Saudi women posted images on social media deleting their ride sharing apps. News of the decision became the top trending on Twitter, with many posts tagged #SaudiWomenCanDrive.

US President Donald Trump commended the order in a White House press office statement that called the change "a positive step toward promoting the rights and opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia." US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called the move "a great step in the right direction."

Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, also welcomed the Saudi decision, writing on Twitter that it represented "an important step in the right direction."

Lori Boghardt, a Gulf specialist at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the change is yet another sign that the Crown Prince is intent on adopting social reforms that will transform the Kingdom.

"Today it's especially clear that this includes moves that've long been thought of by Saudis as politically risky," she said.

The Latest on Saudi Arabia allowing women to drive:

Saudi car rental, insurance shares rise on decree letting women drive

** Shares of Saudi Arabian car rental and leasing company United International Transportation (Budget Saudi) jump 6.0 percent to 24.40 riyals and car servicing company Saudi Automotive adds 0.8 percent to 18.84 riyals in opening minutes of trade

** Shares in insurance companies are also strong on expectations that demand for car insurance will rise; Walaa Cooperative Insurance climbs 2.3 per cent

** Saudi stock index is up 0.1 per cent

UN head welcomes Saudi move

The secretary-general of the United Nations has hailed Saudi Arabia's move. Antonio Guterres wrote on Twitter early Wednesday: "I welcome Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on women drivers. An important step in the right direction."

Source: Khaleej Times