Saudi Arabia issues warning in advance of women's driving protest

A Saudi Arabian woman drives a car as part of a campaign to defy Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 17, 2011. (Change.org)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The ministry in charge of Saudi Arabia's police is warning against "disturbing public order" days before activists are calling on women to drive cars in defiance of a ban on them getting behind the wheel.

The Wednesday statement from Interior Ministry spokesman Turki al-Faisal appeared directed at this Saturday's campaign.

Though no law bans women from driving, they are not issued licenses in the ultraconservative kingdom. No women have been arrested for trying to drive in recent weeks. However, in similar protests in the past, women were charged with offences including disturbing public order.

The police statement comes after around 150 clerics and religious scholars protested outside a royal palace, saying Saudi authorities were doing nothing to stop women flouting the ban.