Rice hails Kuwait for giving women voting rights

WASHINGTON - United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday hailed Kuwait's "courageous" decision to allow women to vote and run for parliament in the strategic US ally.

Pressing the US campaign to foster democracy in the Middle East, Rice called the law that passed this week a "major milestone" that could be a model for countries in the region.

The law, which was opposed by Islamist and conservative members of parliament, is seen as a breakthrough in Kuwait, which has pledged to pursue democratic reform.

"It is a historic decision. It is a courageous decision. It is a decision that I know will mean the world for Kuwaiti women and for Kuwaitis more generally," Rice said at a news conference with her Kuwaiti counterpart.

The all-male parliament passed the law after the pro-reform government won lawmakers' support by backing a popular bill to raise salaries for most public and private employees.

"We managed to convince our parliament to vote in favour of the bill and -- thank God -- now all Kuwaitis are participating in shaping the future" of Kuwait, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Salem al-Sabah said.

The United States has had close military ties with Kuwait since it expelled Iraqi forces from the country in 1991. This year, US officials have emphasized democracy as a central part of its bilateral relations and prodded its Arab allies to reform.

- REUTERS