S. Arabia warns haj trouble makers

Fri, 07 Feb 2003 | Source: AFP

SAUDI ARABIA: Riyadh has warned it will not tolerate any trouble makers at the haj pilgrimage which falls this year amid heightened tension over a looming U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz admitted that security had been beefed up this year in light of regional tension over Iraq, in U.S. sights once again for its alleged possession and development of banned weapons of mass destruction.

Prince Nayef however denied that the kingdom had taken any steps to prevent the entry of any Muslim pilgrims into the kingdom.

The prince earlier met with the kingdom's top security officers who have gathered in Mecca to oversee the haj pilgrimage which peaks on Monday.

During the annual parade, thousands of paramilitary police, special forces, anti-riot police and other troops, all armed with automatic guns, exhibited their readiness before the minister and top security officials. --AFP

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