In addition to having a Bachelor's or a Master's degree with "very good" grades, applicants must be Saudi, not married to a foreigner, not convicted for breach of honour or trust, not sacked from a government job, have a good character and a pleasing appearance.

Riyadh (AsiaNews) - Saudi Arabia will have women ambassadors. Women will be able to fill senior positions as long as they have the qualifications to do so, said Foreign Ministry Osama Nugali.

Senior Ministry officials and Shura Council members are set to discuss the issue at an upcoming council meeting, including funding programmes for employees abroad.

Nugali explained that the Ministry has already employed Saudi women in the past ten years, Arab News report. More than 370 have worked abroad as undersecretaries or attachés.

The Ministry, he said, will open its doors for women seeking jobs in the diplomatic corps from 18 to 30 January.

In addition to having a bachelor's or a master's degree and "very good" grades, applicants should be Saudi nationals, not married to foreigners, not convicted for breach of honour or trust, have a good character and a pleasing appearance.

Depending on the level they aspire, they must not be older than 30 or 35.

The ministry will accept applications only if they come with certified qualifications, a copy of their civil status and a recent photograph.

• saudi
• arabia
• foreign
• ministry
• women
• diplomats