A Saudi woman allowing to drive

                                Women rejoice as Saudi band ends

King Salman's  decree allowing women to drive will take effect in next June

Saudi Arabia's historic decision to allow women to drive won plaudits internationally and inside the conservative  Kingdom on Wednesday, as euphoria mixed with disbelief among activists who long fought the ban.

King Salman's decree, which takes effect next June, is part of an ambitious reform push that runs the risk of a backlash from religion hard-liners.

Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving and its maintenance was seen as a symbol of repression in the Gulf Kingdom around the world.

Plaudits from leaders.

U.S. Donald Trump welcomed the decision to end the ban as "a positive step towards opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia".

British Prime Minister Theresa may hailed it as an important step towards gender quality.