RIYADH: Long before Haj, the General Directorate of the Frontier Guard enforced measures and arrangements to facilitate pilgrims' entry to the Kingdom while tightening control over borders to prevent infiltrators from exploiting the Haj season, said Maj. Gen. Zameem Bin Jaber Al-Sawat, chief of the Frontier Guard. In an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Gen. Al-Sawat said the directorate's forces, which reinforce the country's security men, are stationed at airports and 13 land checkpoints used by pilgrims. “Apart from this, we have formed Haj forces to support security men working on the seaports that receive pilgrims, including King Abdul Aziz Seaport in Jeddah and Yanbu Commercial Seaport,” he said. “The Frontier forces are deployed in these areas to extend all help to the Guests of Allah.” Work to support Haj, which includes providing support at airports, continues while the Frontier Guard carries out its ongoing responsibilities. “Our job is to guard the country's territories and to maintain their security, especially the southern borders where the so-called Jihad base in the Peninsula uses Yemen as a lunching pad for its terrorist operations,” Gen. Al-Sawat said. “Our forces are also deployed along the northern borders, where the troubled Iraq borders us.” Highly trained technicians operate thermal cameras, which trace any movement on the borders, he added. Frontier Guard forces work side-by-side with other security forces at the Command and Control Center in Mina and support the Civil Defense in rescue and emergency operations, Gen. Al-Sawat said. During the Haj season, Frontier Guard forces also help lost pilgrims and guide them to the Kingdom's borders. Humanitarian tasks also include providing first-aid services to pilgrims, helping them when their cars break down and towing their cars, Gen. Al-Sawat noted. The Haj forces consist of 102 officers, 748 non-commissioned officers, 91 military vehicles, three ambulances and11 frigates, he added. He said Prince Naif's personal care and attention he gives to the pilgrims reflects the great focus and unlimited care the Kingdom's leaders accord to the Guests of Allah so they can perform their rituals in ease and comfort.
