Saudis unveil surprise reform plans

Saudi Arabia says it has launched an initiative calling for major reforms in the Arab world.

The Saudi press has published details of the proposals, which advocate internal reform and developing political participation in Arab countries.

The initiative also calls for a common Arab undertaking to reject what is described as any illegal aggression against an Arab country.

The Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, says the proposals are now in the hands of Arab leaders.

He is hoping they will formally adopt his initiative at the next Arab summit in March.

Surprise move

The call for Arab political reform from Saudi Arabia will come as a surprise to many.

The kingdom has one of the most conservative systems in the world.

All political decisions are made by the ruler, aided by an appointed advisory council.

But the Saudi initiative appears to be a response to intense American pressure on governments in the region.

The US has recently launched its own drive to encourage democracy in the Arab world.

Bad press

Since the 11 September attacks, Arab systems of government have been under an unflattering spotlight in America.

As the country which produced most of the alleged attackers, Saudi Arabia has been the target of sustained hostile comment in the US.

By insisting on self-motivated reform, the Saudi proposals are an attempt to seize back the initiative from Washington.

They also address an Arab public wounded by the humiliation of the Palestinians and the prospect of an American war against Iraq.

The kingdom says it wants Arab leaders to pledge to build up Arab defences, support the Palestinians and reject foreign aggression.