Coming on the heels of a broad reform program that also allowed women to enter sports stadiums last week, King Salman announced in a royal decree that drivers licenses would be issued to women who wanted them.
— Ibrahim ISMAIL (@LINKIBZY) September 26, 2017
Cheering on the change, US officials also welcomed the decree.
"We would certainly welcome that," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters Tuesday. "It's a great step in the right direction for that country."
— Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) September 26, 2017
Per Saudi State News agency SPA, the decree triggered government ministries to prepare a report within 30 days before it is to be implemented.
"The royal decree will implement the provisions of traffic regulations, including the issuance of driving licenses for men and women alike," the agency reported.
Officials in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, have in the past offered numerous explanations to ban women from getting behind the steering wheel.
Women in the Kingdom have been barred from driving since the late 1970s, the Daily Beast reported.
