The consular section at the Saudi embassy in Tunis has started the issuance of visas for Tunisians who are planning to perform Hajj this year. Hajj visas are issued in line with simplified procedures set by Saudi ambassador to Tunisia Ibrahim Al-Brahim. Head of the consular section Hassan Al-Ansari said Hajj visas will continue to be issued up to December 27, 2005. As many as 8, 500 Tunisians are expected to perform Hajj this year. The Saudi Press Agency has learnt that the first batch of the Tunisian pilgrims will leave for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on December 17, 2005 aboard a Tunisian airlines plane. The Tunisian pilgrims will arrive in the Kingdom aboard 37 flights up to January 4, 2006.