(MENAFN- Arab News) A total of 272 militants and Al-Qaeda sympathizers have been released after undergoing a long-term counseling program conducted by experts at Prince Muhammad bin Naif Counseling Center in Riyadh and Jeddah, an Interior Ministry spokesman said. "These militants represent the first group of the 32nd counseling program and first group of the seventh program (with 217 members) as well as the second group from both programs (55 members)," the spokesman said. He said the militants were set free after they showed positive signs of benefiting from the counseling programs, which included Islamic, professional, technical, psychological and sociological courses. The spokesman said all the 272 were released during Ramadan. "We'll invite them to attend a follow-up program for emotional rehabilitation and reintegration into society," he said, adding that these special programs would be conducted after Eid Al-Fitr. Last May, the center released 166 militants. The rehabilitation program and release are designed to encourage the individuals to adopt the moderate path of Islam.