Hundreds of people have backed a facebook campaign calling for a 'day of rage' across Saudi Arabia next month to demand an elected ruler, greater freedom for women and the release of political prisoners.
The page called for a "revolution of yearning" on March 11 in the kingdom, which is ruled by an absolute monarchy.
More than 460 people had endorsed the page by yesterday morning, although it is not possible to verify how many of them were inside Saudi Arabia.
Arab uprisings that overthrew leaders in Tunisia and Egypt were mobilised by youths using social media, but activists in Saudi Arabia say a recent internet call for a demonstration in Riyadh failed to bring anyone onto the streets.
A protest last month in Jeddah after floods swept through Saudi Arabia's second-biggest city was also quickly broken up.
The call comes as Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah returned to the kingdom yesterday after three months abroad for health treatment.
Ahead of his return, he announced a series of benefits for Saudis worth billions of riyals.
The measures included help for unemployed young people and students studying abroad but did not include any political reforms.
© 7Days 2011
