RIYADH, March 16: Two hundred Saudi intellectuals, in an unprecedented written statement, have urged the Arab states to grant people more freedom and democracy and have opposed the war on Iraq, saying it would only benefit Israel.

The petition signed by poets, writers, lawyers, academics as well as businessmen have condemned the unilateral attitude of the American government. It opposed the use of Arab territory to wage war on Iraq, and urged the Arab governments to satisfy the aspirations of their people for freedom and democracy.

Such political statements have been rare in the kingdom and has come in the wake of growing anticipation that Saudi Arabia would soon unveil a reform programme.

“A US-led war would lead the Middle East to destruction, disorder and instability,” the statement emphasized.