The second regular session of the council was chaired by Shoura Council President Abdullah Al-Asheikh.

According to an announcement made by the king on Sunday, Saudi women would be allowed to stand and vote in municipal elections and also become members of the Shoura Council.

In his opening remarks during the first session following the king’s speech, Al-Asheikh thanked King Abdullah for inaugurating the third year of the fifth session of the Shoura Council and pointed out that his landmark decision amply demonstrated his support for the welfare of Saudi women in the Kingdom.

"Saudi women have excelled in education, health, economics, administrative and social fields in the society," Al-Asheikh said, adding that they have made remarkable achievements in research studies and some have served the council as consultants.

Therefore, he added that women's entry to the council would bring new blood to an institution where national and international problems are discussed to achieve the Kingdom's goals.

Al-Asheikh pledged that the council would follow the guidelines laid out by the king to work for national unity, the nation's progress and for regional security and peace.

In deference to the wishes of the monarch, the president said the council would provide the right platform for members to discuss national and international issues for the greater good of the Kingdom.

The king's move to grant women suffrage was welcomed by the United States, Britain and France.

"The announcements made by the king represent an important step forward in expanding the rights of women in Saudi Arabia, and we support King Abdullah and the people of Saudi Arabia as they undertake these and other reforms," White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he welcomed the announcement and that "we look forward to examining the full details of the proposed changes and how they will work in practice."

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said his country considers the royal decision "a part of the king's reform efforts that meet the aspirations of Saudi people and youth ... This is an important step forward for the Saudi society."