RIYADH, Nov 22: Admitting the problem of poverty in Saudi Arabia, otherwise one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Crown Prince Abdallah has called for a national strategy to wipe out the menace as quickly as possible.

“We have to admit this problem and implement the strategy,” he said after visiting old districts in Riyadh.

“The problem of poverty cannot be tackled with resolutions which are not supported by proper planning and cannot be solved by dreams or ambitions. It requires a comprehensive national strategy based on mutual support,” Prince Abdullah emphasized.

He urged wealthy Saudis to play a major role along with the government to fight poverty.

“We have to do our duty towards the people of our country who live in abject poverty, so that every citizen in the Kingdom will be able to lead a decent and honourable life,” the prince remarked.

Earlier while addressing a group of notables, the crown prince asked Saudis to change their habits, and added that “the good old days are gone for good”.

In a speech which was termed landmark by analysts, Prince Abdullah exhorted the Saudis to acclimatize themselves to the new realities of life.

The per capita income has gone down to 6,000 dollars from 13,000 dollars in the late seventies and early eighties.