RIYADH, 11 February — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday said that Saudi Arabia will ensure that security during Haj is not threatened in any way, either through demonstrations or slogan-shouting. "A Muslim comes here to perform the compulsory duty of Haj. We will not allow anything that is contrary to the spirit of Haj to interfere with that process. We are against any gatherings and shouting of slogans that are contrary to God’s instructions," the minister said. Addressing a joint press conference with Kuwait’s Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sabah, Prince Naif warned that Riyadh would not show any leniency in matters related to Haj security.

"We will not allow even slogans that are shouted in support of the Kingdom," the prince added. "We hope all Muslims would honor this great occasion, making it an opportunity to perform their Haj duties in peace and security. We hope, God willing, nothing will happen except good things."

Prince Naif reiterated that Riyadh would interrogate Saudi suspects being held by the United States in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, if Washington hands them over. The Americans "only have to hand them to us. We will interrogate them here," he stated. The prince said that, if it were given permission, Saudi Arabia would also send a commission of inquiry to the US base to question the Saudis suspected of having links with Al-Qaeda organization.

But he added that Riyadh would prefer to be able to try them in the Kingdom. Prince Naif disclosed last month that the number of Saudis detained by the US exceeded one hundred.

Asked yesterday about those Saudis still being held by the Afghan authorities, the prince said that the government wanted to see them extradited. "They are Saudi citizens. Whether they have made mistakes or not, we are asking for their return to their country to be questioned and (eventually) tried."

Islamabad said nearly a month ago that 240 Saudis had been arrested on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and were in US hands.

Prince Naif also said that some 30 suspected supporters of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden had been arrested in the Kingdom, and some had been subsequently released. "Others are being sought," he said. "We hope to find them in order to complete our investigations."

Prince Naif highlighted the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "We met as one team," the prince said about his meeting with Sheikh Muhammad in Riyadh. "What concerns Kuwait concerns the Kingdom and vice versa," he added.