Riyadh: Saudi security forces arrested seven suspected Al Qaida militants planning attacks during the just-concluded Haj, security officials and an Arabic newspaper reported.
The suspects were arrested in various cities in the kingdom days before the start of the pilgrimage on Monday, an unnamed security official was quoted as telling the Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV station.
Arabic newspaper Al Hayat reported on Saturday that seven non-Saudi Arabs had been taken into custody. The report came a day after the Interior Ministry said security forces in the kingdom had arrested an Al Qaida linked group planning a "terrorist act" during the Haj.
After five days of exhaustion and hardships, pilgrims were saddened to see the Haj came to a close on Saturday.
"Bidding farewell is hard," said Afaf Al Nuweihi, her voice choking with emotion. "I wish I could stay longer - in a place of worship where you pray and get closer to God."
Al Nuweihi, a 61-year-old retired teacher from Egypt, spent her nights sleeping on roadsides and her days moving from ritual to ritual with some 3 million other pilgrims. Still, she was ecstatic.
