Crown Prince Abdullah is under pressure to relinquish some powers

The document, sent to Crown Prince Abdullah, is said to partly blame Islamic militancy on the lack of popular participation in politics.

It is said to repeat calls for an elected parliament, an independent judiciary and equal rights for women.

But Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told reporters on Tuesday that change would take time.

A leading reformer, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters news agency that the petition had been signed by academics, Islamic scholars and human rights activists.

He said they wanted the ruling family to give up some of its absolute powers, to turn Saudi Arabia into a constitutional monarchy, similar to Jordan or Bahrain.

'Laboratory'

A similar appeal presented to Prince Abdullah in September was signed by more than 300 people.

SIGNS OF DISSENT September Saudi intellectuals launch reform petition 13 October First council elections promised 14 October Rare protest in Riyadh calling for reform 9 November Suicide bomber kills 17 in a housing compound December New petition

The Saudi foreign minister was not asked about the petition but said: "Being careful and fastidious does not mean we're giving up on the reform process."

"Our leaders do not regard the Saudi people as a laboratory in which to test ideas."

In November, King Fahd granted wider powers to the country's consultative council, the Shura, and announced that the first ever elections - for local councils - would be held next year.

A royal decree empowered the council to propose new laws without seeking his permission first.

The move was expected to speed up the decision-making process in the conservative Islamic kingdom.

The Saudi Government has been under pressure to introduce political and economic reforms, and recently faced rare demonstrations calling for change.