US says Saudis have right to peaceful protests

Saudis have a right to protest peacefully, the United States said on Monday after Saudi Arabia reminded its citizens that demonstrations were banned in the kingdom, the world's largest oil exporter.

Inspired by protests in other Arab countries, there have been Shiite marches in the past few days in the east of Saudi Arabia as well as Facebook calls for two more protests this month, the first on Friday. (Reuters)