Saudi Security Forces at Hajj Ready to Maintain Safety of Pilgrims

Members of the Saudi forces for Hajj and Umrah perform during a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP)
Members of the Saudi forces for Hajj and Umrah perform during a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP)
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Saudi Security Forces at Hajj Ready to Maintain Safety of Pilgrims

Members of the Saudi forces for Hajj and Umrah perform during a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP)
Members of the Saudi forces for Hajj and Umrah perform during a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz oversaw on Monday a military parade carried out by the security forces tasked with maintaining security of the Hajj pilgrims.

Interior Ministry spokesman Talal al-Shalhoub underscored the readiness of the security forces in carrying out their duties to meet the aspirations of the Saudi leadership, which is keen on ensuring that the pilgrims perform the holy rituals smoothly and at ease.

Director of Public Security and head of the Hajj Security Committee Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami had on Sunday stressed that the security forces at the Hajj were ready to prevent anything that may impact the safety of the pilgrims.

All the security plans in place were adopted after assessing and studying the previous ones, he went on to say.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Monday that the success of organization efforts demands cooperation from the pilgrims themselves and their commitment to regulations.

He stressed that the security agencies were working around the clock to serve the pilgrims and ensure they have a smooth journey throughout the holy sites.

He highlighted the international campaign that was launched in over 20 countries and aimed at raising awareness about the gravity of violating Hajj regulations and to be wary about scams.

Also on Monday, Prince Abdulaziz followed up on the work of the Civil Defense Command and Control Center in Mina.

The minister was briefed on the plan of the General Directorate of Civil Defense for this year’s Hajj by acting Director General of Civil Defense Major General Hammoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj.

He was briefed on their use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), including the smart platform that uses surveillance cameras to detect smoke, fire, emergency situations and risk forecasting, which boosts the speed of response of civil defense teams, immediate intervention and provision of necessary assistance.



Saudi Arabia Emphasizes Peaceful Cooperation to Achieve Global Security

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
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Saudi Arabia Emphasizes Peaceful Cooperation to Achieve Global Security

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)

Saudi Arabia emphasized peaceful international cooperation as a means to achieve global prosperity, stability and security, stressing the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the necessity of its full implementation.

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila, the Permanent Saudi Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, participated in the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

The ambassador called for more effective international efforts to achieve the goals and universality of the NPT, urging non-party states to join the treaty and subject all their nuclear facilities to the comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Affirming the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology under Article 4 of the Treaty, he underlined the importance of adhering to the highest standards of transparency and reliability, calling on all parties to cooperate to promote peaceful use for the benefit of global development and well-being.

He stated that the responsibility for making the Middle East a nuclear-weapon-free zone lies with the international community, especially the sponsors of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East.

Bin Khothaila condemned the recent statements and threats made by a member of the Israeli government regarding the use of nuclear weapons against the Palestinians, describing his words as violations of international law and a threat to global peace and security.

He further called for intensifying cooperation between the parties to the NPT to attain positive results at the next “review conference” in 2026, with the aim of achieving a safe world free of nuclear weapons.