Haj preparations Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior, listens to journalists during the annual Haj conference in Makkah Wednesday. At right, Saudi special forces display their skills, during a ceremony as they prepare for the influx of people to participate in the Haj, in Arafat Wednesday. (SG photos by Badr Al-Asmari) n Saudi forces capable of foiling Al-Qaeda attacks, says NaifMAKKAH: The Kingdom has taken all necessary measures to ensure a safe and comfortable Haj this year, says Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee. He was addressing the annual Haj press conference at the end of his inspection tour of Haj facilities Wednesday. Prince Naif said that on the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the relevant authorities have made all arrangements to serve the pilgrims, protect their health and to facilitate them in every manner during the performance of the Haj rituals. He said this year the number of pilgrims has increased by nearly 20 percent and this trend is expected to continue in future. Prince Naif said the Kingdom is making concerted efforts to cope with the influx of pilgrims. He also called on the Islamic countries to coordinate with the Saudi authorities in this regard to ensure vital facilities for their nationals. “From our side, we start preparing for the next Haj season right after the conclusion of the pilgrimage,” Prince Naif said. The second deputy premier urged pilgrims to cooperate with the Saudi authorities so that they could serve them better. He added that Saudi Arabia has built Al-Jamarat Bridge on scientific lines to make the stoning of the devil easy for pilgrims. Experts in the Kingdom are also working to ensure pilgrims are not affected by illnesses that can affect large gatherings, Prince Naif said. “Every year, Saudi Arabia conducts studies to face any kind of diseases or viruses during Haj,” he said. Speaking about security issues, the interior minister said he would not rule out an Al-Qaeda attempt to disturb security during the Haj . “We cannot trust them (Al-Qaeda). We do not rule out any attempt to disturb the security of the Haj,” Prince Naif told reporters when asked about a possible Al-Qaeda threat. “We are ready for any act that might take place. God willing, nothing of that will happen, out of respect to this rite,” he said. “We are capable of foiling such acts,” Prince Naif said. Prince Naif also pledged to give Yemen whatever help it needed to fight Al-Qaeda. “The security situation in Yemen is as important to us as the security situation in the Kingdom,” Prince Naif added. Earlier, Prince Naif reviewed this year's Haj security, services and administration plans. Prince Naif inspected various Haj-related projects. The second deputy premier started his inspection tour by visiting camps of special emergency forces set up at the small cars grouping lots on Makkah-Taif “Al-Kur” Expressway where he was received by Prince Muhammad Bin Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs and Lt. Gen. Sa'eed Bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Security Committee. Briefing Prince Naif, Al-Qahtani said all necessary arrangements are in place and all the relevant government bodies are fully geared up to serve over three million pilgrims during this Haj. Al-Qahtani lauded the Jamarat Bridge and the Holy Sites' Train projects. The bridge project has recently seen the construction of sunshades, and the link-up of the fourth and fifth floors through passageways for those using the train and the helipad. Al-Qahtani said the train project is in its first stage and upon completion it will facilitate movement of pilgrims between the holy sites and will also help ease traffic congestion. He said the train project has done away with 30,000 small vehicles from the holy sites, which were being used in transporting pilgrims. Al-Qahtani lauded the expansion of the Grand Mosque and its courtyards. He said security personnel and modern equipment would provide the highest level of security and safety to the pilgrims. Prince Naif also inspected a parade of 70,000 security officers who will be on duty this Haj. During the parade, he stood up when a long military vehicle carrying the names of security men killed in anti-terrorism confrontations passed by in appreciation for the martyrs and their sacrifices. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah; Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; and others who attended the parade joined Prince Naif in standing up to honor the men who sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism.
