S. Arabia warns haj trouble makers

S. Arabia warns haj trouble makers

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