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Sources Close to Family: Palestinian Billionaire Masri Released by Saudis

by Reuters

   AMMAN, JORDAN --

   Jordan's most influential businessman, the Palestinian billionaire
   Sabih al-Masri, returned to his home in Riydah after being detained by
   Saudi authorities and is expected to be allowed to leave the country
   soon, sources close to the family said on Sunday.

   Masri's detention, which follows the biggest purge of the Saudi
   kingdom's affluent elite in its modern history, has sent shockwaves
   through business circles in Jordan and the Palestinian territories,
   where the billionaire has major
   investments.

   A Saudi citizen of Palestinian origin, Masri is also the chairman of
   Amman-based Arab Bank, one of the Middle East's largest financial
   institutions. He was detained last Tuesday hours before he was planning
   to leave after he chaired meetings of companies he owns, sources said.