MAKKAH — Commander of the Civil Defense Haj Forces Maj. Gen. Hamad Al-Mubdil has confirmed that all preparations have been completed in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites to provide maximum degree of safety and security to the pilgrims. Addressing a press conference attended by commanders of all Civil Defense units in Haj operations at Grand Coral Hotel in Makkah on Wednesday, Al-Mubdil said 17,600 Civil Defense personnel have been stationed in about 250 centers to deal with any emergency situation. He said more than 3,800 pieces of safety equipment are at their disposal. The Civil Defense commander warned that anyone caught with cooking gas cylinders in the holy sites will be jailed and fined. He said the presence of the gas cylinders in the holy sites might jeopardize the pilgrims' safety. “The safety of the pilgrims and their belongings is a first priority for the Civil Defense,” he said. The ban on gas cylinders will be in force from the first day of Dhul Hijja (Sept. 14). — Badea Abu Al-Naja
