Hajj Security Forces Announce Readiness to Provide Safety

Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
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Hajj Security Forces Announce Readiness to Provide Safety

Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center

Hajj security forces have affirmed that pilgrims’ safety and security is a red line, stressing that they won’t let anything disrupt them.

The forces also said they would implement a general plan to manage crowds in the holy mosque and holy sites.

“There are many plans to create suitable conditions, manage traffic and vehicles using aerial technology and follow up to ensure the success of the plans’ stages,” said Commander of Hajj security forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi.

“There are more than 5,000 high-quality cameras covering pilgrims’ locations in Makkah and holy sites in order to convey the most accurate details and guarantee pilgrims’ safety and comfort,” Harbi explained.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Harbi also said the holy sites are cordoned off and a sufficient number of security men, mechanisms, and techniques have been deployed in the area.

He pointed to the “technical team assigned in the holy city to follow up social media websites and monitor companies in order for Muslims to perform their pilgrimage easily.”

Commander of Grand Mosque Security Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Ahmadi, deputy commander of Hajj security forces, expected five million people to attend the Mosque on daily basis during the five prayers over Hajj period.

Ahmadi noted, however, that the capacity of the Grand Mosque reaches up to one million people along with the third expansion and the yards, explaining that the plan includes distributing masses throughout the Holy Mosque to ensure the smooth flow of movement and the easy entry and exit of pilgrims and worshipers.

He pointed out that the plan is based on three main aspects: the organizational, security and humanitarian aspects.

It is implemented by security men who have received several training courses and are specialized in how to manage crowds and organize the expected masses during Hajj period.

Ahmadi stressed that everyone is ready to carry out the assigned tasks with precision, dedication, and sincerity so that pilgrims carry out their rituals easily and comfortably.

Assistant commander of Hajj security forces for traffic affairs Maj. Gen. Khaled al-Dabbayb, for his part, revealed that more than 267,000 people and more than 114,000 vehicles have been returned in the past period, 59 violators who don’t have Hajj permission have been arrested and six drivers will be referred to relevant authorities that take legal actions against them.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from French Foreign Minister

zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)
zSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot, SPA reported.

During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments.


Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
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Yemen Presidential Leadership Council President Holds Talks with GCC Sec-Gen

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters
President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi - Reuters

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi in Riyadh.

According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat, the two sides reviewed GCC-Yemeni relations and discussed the current situation in the Republic of Yemen, with particular focus on recent developments in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Albudaiwi affirmed that all efforts are being exerted and supported to enhance security and stability in Yemen.

Dr. Al-Alimi commended the stances, leading role, and exceptional efforts made by the GCC states to support Yemen across various fields, contributing to enhancing Yemen’s stability and realizing its development, SPA reported.

Furthermore, Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s steadfast position affirming full support for the Presidential Leadership Council, headed by Dr. Al-Alimi, and its supporting entities, in their endeavours to achieve security and stability in Yemen.

He also underscored the GCC’s support for reaching a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the three references, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.


No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
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No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)

An earthquake struck Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region on Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) Tariq Aba Al-Khail said no damage casualties were reported in the 4.0-magnitude quake.

The earthquake resulted from tectonic stresses from the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian geological plates in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, which activated existing faults in the Earth's crust in Eastern Region of the Kingdom, he said.