Saudi state television sees first female news presenter

RIYADH

Saudi television anchorwoman Weam al-Dekheil has become the first female news presenter on a state-owned Saudi television channel.

Al-Dekheil appeared on a Thursday news program, setting a precedent for Saudi women.

According to local media reports, al-Dekheil graduated from Beirut’s Lebanese American University before working at several prominent Arab news platforms, including Qatari news channel Al-Jazeera and London-based daily Al-Hayat.

Al-Dekheil's appearance on Saudi state television comes as part of a raft of reforms introduced by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Last year, the king announced his decision to allow women to drive -- a move that went into effect in June.