military. It was also emphasized that Prince Mutaib developed close relations with powerful regional political and military leaders, including King Hussein and Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal. Prince Mutaib's influence seems to begin when he was a military officer in the SANG as a result of being the main advisor to his father, Abdullah, commander of the SANG. During his post in the SANG under King Abdullah's command, Prince Mutaib was reported to answer only to him. He is considered to be a competent member of House of Saud and enjoy a wide following in the large tribes of central Arabia. Mutaib bin Abdullah is reported to have some characteristics that make him one of the leading second generation princes: his low-profile political status; conservative personal approach and commitment to his father’s doctrine in addition to his strong tribal bonds. However, he is also characterized as both an ambitious and a respectable person. After the death of Crown Prince Nayef on 16 June 2012, Prince Mutaib was regarded as one of the possible contenders for the crown. Views Saudi university students organized demonstrations at King Khalid University in March 2012, complaining about negative conditions. Prince Mutaib considered these demonstrations as a threat against the security of the Kingdom. He told that reducing problems and meeting the students' demands were not more urgent than security and stability of the country. He further argued that as a result of recent events in the Arab countries, they should be alert to maintain the stability and security of Saudi Arabia. In Spring 2013 Prince Mutaib stated "religion (should) not enter into politics" which led a serious concern among religious leaders. Just two days after this statement of Prince Mutaib the clergy met with King Abdullah to express their concern. In addition, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Tarifi responded Prince Mutaib's statement in a tweet: “whoever says there is no relationship between religion and politics worships two gods, one in the heavens and one on earth.” Personal life Mutaib bin Abdullah is married to Jawahir bint Abdullah, who is a daughter of his father's uncle Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman. They have six children, three daughters and three sons: Seba, Nouf, Abdullah, Zeina, Saad and Khalid. He is also married to a daughter of Saleh Fustuq whose sister was the former wife of King Abdullah. His son Abdullah participated in various horse showjumping events. More significantly,