RIYADH, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A delegation from the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the the first extensive fact-finding mission in the conservative Muslim country.

Members of the rights group's delegation told a gathering of prominent Saudis and foreign diplomats late on Sunday that they would spend three weeks interviewing government officials, organisations and individuals.

The main issues they will focus on include the criminal justice system, political rights, the status of women and foreign worker rights.

The New York-based group made a first exploratory visit in 2003. No other major rights groups have been able to conduct field-work in the vast desert country, an absolute monarchy with a religious police that imposes strict gender segregation.

Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally and the world's biggest oil producer, has embarked on cautious reform programme under King Abdullah who came to power last year.

The United States and rights groups have often criticised Saudi Arabia over many issues including religious freedoms, freedom of expression and the imposition of the death penalty through public beheading.

Saudi Arabia says its system of Islamic laws ensure full rights for Muslims and non-Muslims.

Religious scholars preside over Islamic courts where most law is not codified. Nearly one third of the country's 24 million population are foreigners, mainly blue-collar workers from Asian countries.

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