Egypt's parliamentary human rights committee has praised Saudi King Salman's decree which allows women to drive cars for the first time in the history of the Gulf kingdom.

The head of the committee, Alaa Abed, on Wednesday described the decision as a "a step on the right track of equality between men and women, as well as a fundamental human right," state-news agency MENA reported

The parliament's Arab affairs committee also expressed "respect and appreciation" for what they described as an "unprecedented decision."

The royal decree stipulates that the decision be implemented by June 2018, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.

Short link:

