Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, praised all concerted government efforts to keep this year's Haj secure and safe despite the difficult regional situation, during a reception of the commanders of the Haj security forces in Makkah Sunday night. The Kingdom does not discriminate against pilgrims based on race, color, or language as they are equal guests of Allah, he said, appreciating the adherence of pilgrims to the Kingdom's laws. “We are trying to make the Haj better every year,” he said. “You have worked hard to secure the country at tough times … and have foiled hundreds of attempts targeting the Kingdom's security,” Prince Naif addressed the commanders. Arrested suspects held on security charges will be tried, he said. “We are sorry that most of them were misled to go into that direction,” he said. Some of attack planners and supporters, unfortunately, come from this country, Prince Naif said. “They were influenced by ideological streams that falsely claim Islam,” he said. Despite difficult times over the past eight years, the Kingdom has never declared emergency or curfew because of the security the country enjoys, Prince Naif said. On this occasion, Prince Naif saluted the Armed Forces and Border Guard along the border with Yemen, saying that the Kingdom is in full control of its border and will not step into Yemeni territory, as military operations continue against armed infiltrators. Yemen is a sovereign state and nobody should be allowed to illegally intervene in its internal affairs, he said. “If there are differences among Yemenis, reason must rule and they have a leadership and a nation that we have to respect,” Prince Naif added. “If we stand by Yemen, that is because of our obligation to a neighboring Arab country,” he said.
