Princes, Ministers arrested in Saudi Arabia purge

Move follows formation of new anti-graft panel headed by Crown Prince

Saudi Arabia has arrested dozens of senior figures including princes, Ministers, and a top business tycoon, with the authorities on Sunday pledging 'Fair'  justice after a sweeping purge seen as consolidating the Crown Prices's hold on power.

Prominent billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal was among the Princes arrested late on Saturday, a government source told AFP, immediately after a new anti-corruption commission, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was established by royal decree.

Separately the head of the Saudi National Guard, once a leading contender to the throne, as well as the Navy Chief and the Economy Minister were replaced in a  series of high profile sackings that sent socks waves through the Kingdom.

The dramatic shake-up comes at a time of unprecedented social and economic transformation in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia, as Prince Mohammed steps up his reform drive for post-oil era.

Saidi-owned Al Arabiya television reported that 11 Princes, four current Minister and dozens of ex-Minister were arrested as the commission launched a probe into cases, such as the floods that devasted the Red Sea city of Jeddah in 2009.