Saudi forces ready to ensure security during Haj

Makkah: Saudi security forces are well prepared to ensure a peaceful and secure Haj, Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said.

"Our security forces are fully prepared for any eventualities and we hope the holiness of the Islamic ritual of Haj would be respected and nobody would try to undermine security," he said.

Prince Naif, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, was addressing a press conference here last night at the end of his annual inspection tour of the holy sites prior to the annual pilgrimage of Haj that begins tomorrow.

Nearly 2.5 million pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year.

Replying to a question about possible security threats during Haj, Prince Naif said: "So far, we don't have any information (about threats) but we have taken all precautions to face anything, whatever the size may be. We hope nothing that clouds the Haj will take place."

"We depend on Allah and our security capabilities, and we can face any eventuality," he said.

On the increased number of pilgrims arriving this year, Prince Naif said: "Setting the numbers of pilgrims for each country is done according to the decisions of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC)."

Prince Naif also confirmed reports that Saudi authorities had increased the number of Haj visas issued to Palestinian pilgrims.

"The increase was made following a request from the Palestinians, and in line with the directives of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. We hope all of them will be able to perform Haj this year.

"We will welcome them even if they arrive on the 8th of Dul Hijjah, the first day of Haj," he said.

On another question whether he expected a return of terrorism to the region, he said he did not rule out the occurrence of anything that might catch people unawares.

"Terrorism is not finished and it still exists," he said.

He said: "It is the judiciary who decides when to issue a verdict in the trial of those accused of terror activities. We have not specified a time period in this regard. We cannot detain or keep someone in custody if there is no material evidence," he said.

Prince Naif said the security pact signed recently between Iraq and the United States, is an internal matter for Iraq.

"We hope this will be good for Iraq and help it in safeguarding its sovereignty," he said.

Drug smuggling

He also said a recent operation when a drug-smuggling gang was captured in the kingdom was conducted in a very sophisticated way.

"With intense efforts and determination, the Border Guards were able to find the drug cache and weapons hidden in a burnt car," he said, adding it was important that 19 people were arrested, among them 18 Saudi suspects.