RIYADH, Feb 18: About 1,200 Saudi taxi drivers have staged a rare public protest in the capital Riyadh after the government postponed enforcement of a decision for 100 per cent Saudisation of taxis in the kingdom.

The 100 per cent Saudi drivers' law was to come into effect at the beginning of the new Hijrah year. Some 70,000 taxis ply in the kingdom, and more than 90 per cent of them are driven by non-nationals, mainly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and some Indians.

According to initial orders, expatriate drivers were to be replaced by early February. However, at the last moment, the Saudi government deferred the decision for three years.

The Saudi government is reported to have given in to pressure exerted by large limousine companies which believe that if the decision is enforced they would have to close down. They complain of lack of suitable Saudi drivers and lack of work ethics.

According to the Al Riyadh daily, the cabbies parked their taxis near the palace of Crown Prince Abdullah and presented a signed complaint. They complained of losses they suffered as a result of what they said the unfair competition from expatriate drivers. The replacement of expatriates with Saudi taxi drivers was originally planned to have been completed by the beginning of 2005.