Prince seeks end to ban on women driving

The Gulf Arab state is a monarchy ruled by the al-Saud family in alliance with clerics from the strict Wahhabi school of Islam. Women must be covered from head to toe in public and are not allowed to drive.

But the ruling family has been facing calls from activists and liberals, empowered by protests across North Africa and the Middle East, to allow some political reforms in the absolute monarchy that has no parliament.

Using social media, activists have called on King Abdullah to allow women to participate for the first time in municipal elections expected this year.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of King Abdullah and advocate of his reforms, said the kingdom could send some 750,000 foreign drivers home if women could drive.

"A lot of Saudi women want to drive their car in line with strict regulations and wearing a headscarf. But now they need a driver," he said.

"The Saudi society wants fewer foreign labourers … so why this hesitation (with women driving cars]? I want answers," he said.

A ban could only be lifted by the government in consultation with top Islamic scholars.

Saudi women are subject to a male "guardianship" system, which requires they show permission from their guardian - father, brother or husband - to travel or, sometimes, work.

Religious police patrol the streets regularly to ensure women are dressed modestly.