DUBAI, Feb 24: A group of reformists has made an unprecedented call on the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to hold free elections to form a parliament voted for by the people.

It is the first time such a request has been made in the UAE, which is now the only Gulf country without any elected bodies, following Saudi Arabia's first round of municipal elections earlier this month.

"It has become embarrassing for the UAE to lag behind others politically in the region. It is high time for us to have a fully elected house - enough of an appointed council without legislative powers," said Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a professor at the UAE University.

"It is strange that Iraqis were registering and voting in the UAE for their country's election and yet UAE citizens do not have the right to vote," he added. The activists want the consultative Federal National Council, appointed by the seven semi-autonomous emirates, to become an elected body. -By arrangement with AKI