Saudi feminist held briefly over one-person protest

RIYADH, Aug 5 (Reuters) A Saudi women's rights activist said she was detained briefly yesterday for staging a rare public demonstration in the conservative Muslim kingdom.

Wajiha al-Huweidar, an outspoken writer, said she was taken in by police for carrying a placard urging King Abdullah to grant more rights to women.

Interior ministry officials could not be reached for comment. Public protests are banned in Saudi Arabia.

Huweidar, 45, said she protested on a busy causeway leading to neighbouring Bahrain, where women enjoy greater rights.

''A year after his (King Abdullah's) enthronement and after promising us more rights, the picture on women's rights remains very opaque,'' Huweidar told Reuters by telephone. ''I'm not alone in this, a lot of women in the country aspire for more rights.

''Police treatment was faultless, they interrogated me and asked for a male (relative) ... to sign a pledge that I will not do such a thing again, my brother came and signed it for me.

''I won't march again on the bridge as I promised, but there are other ways to protest.'' King Abdullah has said the promotion of women in society is a priority for economic development but any changes to the largely patriarchal society will be in line with Islamic principles.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most restrictive places in the world for women. They cannot drive cars and must be accompanied in public by male relatives, as well as cover themselves up in black cloaks lest they incite men's sexual desire.

Officials say granting more rights to women depends largely on the social acceptance of change. Activists argue that Riyadh has to grant gender equality as a United Nations member.

Reuters MS VP1016