Riyadh tightens security as 2 mn gather for Haj

Last week five persons, believed to be Al-Qaeda operatives, were killed in an encounter with Saudi police in Riyadh.

‘‘We have taken adequate security measures to ensure that Haj pilgrimage goes on safely,’’ Prince Naif, the Saudi Interior Minister told reporters during his Haj inspection on Friday.

Naif inspected the security in and around the holy city of Mecca. More than two million Muslims will reach Mecca to take part in the mandatory ritual.

Naif also checked the anti-terror and anti-riot units besides the traffic arrangements on the 80 km Jeddah-Makkah highways. The journey for the Haj begins Tuesday. His ministry spokesman Brig Mansoor Al Turkey said 50,000 security men have been deployed to thwart any possible terror moves and to ensure better Haj management.

He cited the state of the art electronic gizmos to detect possible weapons and increased vigil as reason to discourage any terrorists intentions. In fact, on many check points lining the Jeddah-Mecca highway, police men, some with automatic guns, are seen carrying out meticulous searches and identity checks for vehicles and passengers.

As many as 15 military aircrafts have been deployed to avert any kind of terror strike in the Makkah, Mina, Muzdelifa and Arfat area.