SAUDI ARABIA CLERIC OKS VIAGRA USE

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Muslim men may use the anti-impotence drug
Viagra if it does not contain any intoxicating substances, Saudi Arabia's
top cleric said in remarks published Saturday.

``Using a drug that helps sexual intercourse is permitted and there is no
legal Islamic prohibition, provided it does not contain ingredients that may
harm health or intoxicate,'' the Arabic-language newspaper Okaz quoted Sheik
Abdul-Aziz bin Baz as saying.

Bin Baz gave his opinion in response to a question after he delivered a
lecture on Friday evening in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Saudi newspapers have said authorities were planning to register the drug.
Viagra has been selling on the local black market at $80 a pill, eight times
its price in the United States.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett