US praises Saudi move to allow women to vote

The United States has welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to give women the right to vote. The White House said in a statement that it is an important step forward in women's rights in the country.

President Barack Obama and his administration have embraced the popular movement toward democracy in the Arab world.

The US government, however, has been criticized for inconsistency in its Arab policies over its longtime support of the oil-rich and ultra-conservative Saudi Arabian kingdom, where women are subject to many restrictions.