The UAE plans to appoint women judges, becoming the second Persian Gulf country after Bahrain to end male monopoly over the profession.

"The monarchy's Judicial Institute is already training female judges and prosecutors," Justice Minister Mohammad bin Nakhira al-Dhaheri was quoted as saying Sunday.

Al-Dhaheri did not mention any set dates for the proposed amendment to the kingdom's existing laws, English daily [Persian] Gulf News published the report.

"At present the law states that only a Muslim man is entitled to assume the position of a judge," he said.

ZHD/RA