Saudi Arabia Decides To Restore Ambassador To Sweden – Al Arabiya TV

Saudi Arabia has decided to send its envoy back to Sweden, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Friday, in a move that will ease a diplomatic row over the Arab country’s human rights record.

The channel provided no immediate details.

Saudi Arabia withdrew its envoy earlier this month over Swedish criticism of the monarchy’s treatment of women and dissidents.

In January, Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom tweeted criticism of Saudi Arabia’s flogging of human rights activist blogger Raif Badawi, calling it a “cruel attempt to silence modern forms of expression”.

She has also criticised policies affecting women, who cannot drive cars and need permission from a male guardian for many decisions.

Riyadh then cancelled a speech Wallstrom had been due to give to the League of Arab States, and Stockholm later ended a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.