Attendees at the meeting — who were at the time discussing the increasing cases of domestic violence in the Kingdom — negotiated with the man for around 20 minutes. Those present included police officials.

During the standoff, the man said he had been threatened with jail for failing to abide by a court ruling asking him to pay SR45,000 to his ex-wife and children in maintenance. The man said he was unable to pay the sum, that he receives SR800 a month in social welfare benefits and that he had not seen his children for over seven years.

Members of the meeting said they were able to convince the man that they would study his case with an eye of finding a solution at which he handed the lighter to Khaled Al-Ghamdi, head of the Jeddah branch of the NSHR.

Members of the Civil Defense and paramedics from the Saudi Red Crescent gave the man first aid after he became dizzy due to the stench of petrol.

The meeting was discussing the drafting of unified procedures and guidance to be followed in cases of domestic violence.

Sources at the NSHR said that since its inception until last year, the society had looked at 1,541 cases of domestic violence, including 72 cases of child abuse. They said 77 of the domestic violence cases and 26 of the child abuse cases were in Jeddah while 22 were in Makkah.

In a recent statement to Arab News, the human rights watchdog said there was a drive by civil society organizations to speedily resolve problems involving divorced people, whether Saudis or foreigners.

“Divorced women should claim their rights from their ex-husbands, including dowries, without delay,” the statement said.

It called for a system that would reduce the agony of divorcees and their children. “Islam has made it obligatory on decision makers to ensure the rights of women and children,” the society said.