The Saudi Arabian woman facing a lashing for driving a car has been pardoned by the king following international online outrage and petitions.

Princess Amira al-Taweel was first to announce the news via her Twitter account, saying: "Thank God, the lashing of Shaima is canceled. Thanks to our beloved King. I'm sure all Saudi women will be so happy."

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al-Taweel is one of Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's two wives. His father, King Abdullah, has officially pardoned Shaima Jastaniah although it's currently illegal for women to drive cars in the Saudi kingdom.

The aging king this week made the landmark decision to allow women the right to vote and is said to be upsetting strict religious leaders, who enforce strict Islamic law.

Jastaniah was officially sentenced to ten lashes for illegally using a car by a court in Jeddah.

Princess Amira al-Taweel is Vice-Chairwoman of the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation charity. She recently spoke at the former US president Bill Clinton's Clinton Global Initiative event.

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