The United States, Britain and Bahrain welcomed the decision of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, granting voting rights to Saudi women. Addressing the Shoura Council on Sunday, King Abdullah gave women the right to vote and run in municipal elections as well as the right to join the Shoura Council as members. Tommy Vietor, spokesman of the Office of National Security Council at the White House, said the King's decisions recognize the significant contributions being made by Saudi women in the service of their society and open new ways for them to participate in the decisions that affect their lives and society. He said that the new reforms announced by the King represent important steps forward in expanding the roles of women in the Kingdom. In a press statement, William Hague, British Foreign Secretary, hailed the decision as an “important step”. Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, commended King Abdullah's stress that security was an integral part of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Prince Khalifa said the steps undertaken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques “to engage women in Majlis Al-Shoura and the municipal councils is a milestone in the history of Saudi Arabia.” Meanwhile, the Swiss Television said granting of voting rights is an important and civilization gesture from the King toward Saudi women. The Swiss Television noted that since taking over the reigns of the Kingdom, King Abdullah has been initiating reforms in conformity with the Kingdom's traditions for the advancement of its society.
