Saudi authorities have freed Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a contender to the throne, more than three weeks after he was detained in a sweeping royal purge. <br/><br/>Prince Miteb, a former National Guard chief, was among more than 200 high-profile political and business figures held on November 4 in what Saudi authorities dubbed an anti-corruption swoop. <br/><br/>He was released last night, a source close to the government inormed the news agency AFP. The prince was not reachable for comment.<br/><br/>Prince Miteb was one of the most politically influential royal detained in the crackdown, which swept up other royal family members, ministers and business tycoons.<br/><br/>