Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said it was fully prepared to deal with emergencies at all Haj sites and vowed to crush any terrorist plan to disrupt the holy pilgrimage.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting a massive show of military strength in Mina, Saudi interior minister Prince Naif said: “Security forces should expect anything of any size to happen. We are not saying that we have information of militant attacks but we will tackle militants firmly, swiftly and strongly.”
The prince said the kingdom’s strategy to deal with terrorism was to cut the funding of terrorists. “Our intention is to arrest the terrorists, not to kill them,” he said, when one reporter asked him about the delay in the trial of suspected terrorists. He, however, said security personnel had been asked to take “any suitable measure” if they came across specific militant plans. “They (militants) will be killed if they are going to kill,” he said.
Epidemics, including bird flu, deadly stampedes and attacks by Al-Qaeda militants are some of the threats looming over this year’s Haj. The health ministry has already denied any trace of bird flu from any pilgrim yet. In 2003, Al-Qaeda struck big across the kingdom with a series of bombings.
Prince Naif said nearly 60,000 security personnel were deployed at Mecca and other holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa. He said the safety of the “guests of God” were the topmost priority of the Saudi government.
{{/usCountry}}Prince Naif said nearly 60,000 security personnel were deployed at Mecca and other holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa. He said the safety of the “guests of God” were the topmost priority of the Saudi government.
{{/usCountry}}The prince said that with the expansion of the stoning area in Jamrat, pilgrims would now have more space. The stoning of the three pillars symbolising devils, mostly done from atop a bridge, is the most dangerous of all Haj rituals. It has been the scene of deadly stampedes in the past. In 2004, 244 pilgrims, many from India, were crushed to death by surging crowds.
He also said the authorities wouldn’t allow the faithful to squat under the Jamrat Bridge in Mina this time.
This year, at least 2.5 million pilgrims are expected to perform Haj.