Saudi Arabia's crown prince promises to return the country 'back to moderate Islam'

Ambitious Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammad bin Salman has said he will lead the country back to moderate Islam, one that is open to all religions as part of his is key plans to modernise the Gulf kingdom.

He made the remarks at the beginning of the landmark Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Tuesday.

We are returning to what we were before – a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world, he said.

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

He vowed to "eradicate the remnants of extremism very soon".

We will not waste 30 years of our lives dealing with extremist ideas, we will destroy them today, he said.

We will end extremism very soon, he added.

Prince bin Salman was appointed heir to the throne back in June by his father King Salman. He has largely been viewed as one who espouses liberal rights, and was said to be a driving force behind the country granting women the right to drive.