SAUDI WARNED THOSE TRYING TO UNDERMINE HAJ SECURITY

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

MECCA, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Saudi Arabia will not allow anyone to undermine
the security of the annual haj pilgrimage and those who try to tamper with haj
security will be dealt with an iron fist, Second Deputy Premier and Minister
of Interior Prince Naif said.

The Saudi Arabian English daily, Arab News, quoted Prince Naif as saying
that about 100,000 men had been deployed in Mecca and other holy sites to ensure
the security of pilgrims.

Asked whether Saudi Arabia had sought assurances from Iranian pilgrims that
they would not engage in any activity that disturbs Haj security, Prince Naif
said, "We have not demanded any special pledge from any group".

"However, everybody knows that we reject anything that violates the sanctity
of the occasion and this place and everybody knows that we deal with those who
tamper with Haj security with total force and resolve.

"But we hope that no such things will happen during this Haj season and we
appreciate what we heard from some (Iranian) pilgrims, respecting the kingdom's
Haj measures.

Every year the authorities arrested a large number of infiltrators and
overstayers, and sent them back to their respective countries, he said, adding
that the number of such illegals increased during the Haj season.
-- BERNAMA