AKIPRESS.COM - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the return of "moderate Islam" is key to his plans to modernise the Gulf kingdom, BBCreported.

He told reporters that 70% of the Saudi population was under 30 and that they wanted a "life in which our religion translates to tolerance".

The prince vowed to "eradicate the remnants of extremism very soon".

He made the comments after announcing the investment of $500bn (£381bn) in a new city and business zone.

Dubbed NEOM, it will be situated on 26,500 sq km (10,230 sq miles) of Saudi Arabia's north-western Red Sea coast, near Egypt and Jordan.