The Kingdom enjoys excellent security and stability, Prince Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, has said.

Addressing a press conference here Sunday night after presiding over the 19th meeting of regional emirs, Prince Ahmed said security personnel are always alert to meet any eventuality.

Talking about violent incidents in the Eastern Province, Prince Ahmed said the cleric detained recently for causing trouble in the province was mentally ill.

“Nimr Al-Nimr is someone who stirs sedition... The way he speaks reflects a mental deficiency and imbalance,” Prince Ahmed said.

“Nimr Al-Nimr, the spreader of sedition, is a man of dubious scholarship and dubious mental condition, and the issues he raises and speaks about show a deficiency or imbalance of the mind,” Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted him as saying.

Prince Ahmed also claimed that authorities do not discriminate against the family of Al-Nimr, but warned that those affected by his “deviation” should be stopped.

“His wife works in immigration, and his sons and daughters have scholarships to study abroad. The government sent his wife to the United States for treatment when she suffered a malignant illness,” he said.“Everything is available for him, just like others,” Prince Ahmed added.

Al-Nimr remains in hospital as he was wounded during his arrest earlier this month in Qatif.

On other issues, Prince Ahmed urged the Ministry of Commerce and other bodies to inspect markets to curb unnecessary increase in prices, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.

Prince Ahmed said the role of the state is limited as the Kingdom has a free market which is driven by competition, adding that he urged merchants and businessmen to fear Allah.

Prince Ahmed said security violations by some individuals will never lead to any prosperity instead it will be counter-productive. He said every citizen and resident living in the Kingdom enjoys safety as the nation’s public security system is good.

He said that some media outlets magnify and exaggerate matters about chaos or security problems.

Regarding the smuggling of drugs through the Kingdom’s borders and measures to secure these borders, the minister said the Kingdom has vast borders so smuggling takes place over rugged mountain roads in the darkness of night.

“Thanks to Almighty Allah we have vigilant Border Guards. They are performing their duties to our satisfaction. We provide them with the latest equipment and the most sophisticated machinery which help them in performing their duties. They have thwarted numerous smuggling attempts and have arrested a large number of traffickers,” said Prince Ahmed.

Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology, he said technology is an invaluable tool, but it is a double-edged sword.

As for the unemployment problem in the Kingdom and the complaint that there are no jobs for the youth, he said that the unemployment issue was tackled in the emirs’ meeting.