Voter registration began 23 November for next year’s municipal elections, scheduled to take place in three rounds beginning in February. Activists arrested last March for proposing constitutional monarchy remain jailed; several supporters of London-based Saudi dissident Saad al- Faqih arrested while on his satellite radio show.

Authorities said women would not be allowed to vote in country’s first nation-wide municipal elections, now scheduled for February 2005 after being pushed back from November 2004.

In unusual public rebuke, U.S. named Saudi Arabia country of particular concern in annual report on religious freedom. French national shot dead in Jeddah 26 September by suspected al Qaeda militants.

In positive step, authorities set November date for nation-wide municipal elections. Newly published election law unclear on whether women to participate. Rare public trial of 3 reformists, arrested in March, began amid disruptions caused by defendants’ supporters. Security forces said top militant Faris al-Zahrani arrested.

Government amnesty for militants who gave themselves up expired 23 July, with only 6 suspected extremists having turned themselves in.

Security forces in Riyadh killed al-Qaeda’s leader in Saudi Arabia and 2 others 18 June, hours after militants beheaded U.S. hostage Paul Johnson. In bid to quell growing anxiety following spate of recent attacks, government said foreigners would be allowed to carry guns.

4 suspected al-Qaeda militants attacked 2 oil industry compounds in eastern city of Khobar 29 May, killing 22. 3 of 4 gunmen allowed to escape after threatening to kill hostages. Attack was second in month on kingdom's oil interests, sparking instability fears - and higher prices - in world oil markets.

Series of clashes between militants and police shook kingdom. Bombing of security forces building in Riyadh 21 April killed 5, including 2 senior police officers, and injured 148 - extremist group al-Haramin Brigades claimed responsibility. Days later police killed 5 militants in Jeddah, 4 of whom reportedly among Saudis' most wanted terror suspects.

Authorities arrested 13 well-known liberal intellectuals after they signed petition calling for reform. Group had been at forefront of growing movement for political and economic liberalisation in kingdom. Seven of 13 were subsequently released.

U.S. authorised non-essential staff to return to Kingdom despite continued terror warnings.