Saudi Public Security: Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Denied Entry to Holy Sites During Hajj 

Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 2023. (AP)
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 2023. (AP)
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Saudi Public Security: Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Denied Entry to Holy Sites During Hajj 

Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 2023. (AP)
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 2023. (AP)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Security announced on Tuesday stricter measures to ensure a smooth and secure Hajj this year.

Unauthorized vehicles will be prohibited from entering the holy sites as of midnight on Tuesday and until June 19.

According to the Public Security, individuals transporting pilgrims without valid Hajj permits will face imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to SAR50,000 for each unauthorized pilgrim transported.

Court rulings may also include confiscation of the vehicle and deportation of the transporter if they are a resident with a subsequent temporary entry ban.

Pilgrims lacking valid Hajj permits will be fined SAR10,000. For residents, this will be followed by deportation and a temporary entry ban.

The Public Security emphasized the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure a secure, safe, and comfortable environment for all pilgrims.



Saudi Crown Prince Receives US Secretary of State in Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives US Secretary of State in Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh on Monday US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the eve of talks on Ukraine.

Rubio had arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday to prepare for the talks and plan the anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump and Putin have agreed to kick of peace talks about Ukraine that will be attended by Crown Prince Mohammed.

Saudi and American officials will discuss bilateral relations and regional cooperation, as well as efforts to push forward peace and stability in the region.

The State Department had said Rubio’s visit to the region will “promote US interests in advancing regional cooperation, stability, and peace.”

“The trip will center on freeing American and all other hostages from Hamas captivity, advancing to Phase II of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and countering the destabilizing activities of the Iranian regime and its proxies,” it said in a statement.