JEDDAH/MINA, 5 January 2006 — The Kingdom will deploy as many as 60,000 security officers in Makkah and other holy sites during Haj to ensure the welfare and safety of pilgrims, Interior Minister Prince Naif announced yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting Haj arrangements in Makkah, Mina and other holy places, Prince Naif said Saudi security forces were ready to deal with any eventualities during the five-day event that begins Sunday.

At least 2.5 million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 million from abroad, are expected to perform Haj this year. Deadly stampedes, attacks by Al-Qaeda militants or the possibility of spreading epidemics such as bird flu are some of the concerns that Saudi security forces are preparing for.

“Security forces should expect anything of any size to happen. We are not saying that we have information (of militant attacks) but ... we should always expect the worst and we are ready for that,” he said, before watching a parade of civil and military defense forces in Mina. “The number (of security forces) has increased ... to around 60,000 men.”

Last year the government said it had deployed 50,000 men in and around Makkah to combat possible militant attacks, control traffic and prevent overcrowding. Saudi Arabia has been successful in combating terrorism since Al-Qaeda militants launched a series of bombings and shootings across the country in 2003.

Prince Naif, who is chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, said the authorities would also stop pilgrims from squatting under the Jamrat Bridge in Mina, the scene of stampedes over the past Haj seasons. “We plan to combat the squatters and to remove them in a quiet and gentle way,” he said.

Prince Naif said Iraqi pilgrims were given Haj visas at entry points considering their special situation. He said the Kingdom would continue to combat terrorism by cutting its financial sources. “Our intention is to arrest the terrorists not to kill them,” he said when asked about the delay in the trial of suspected terrorists. No date has been set for the trial, he added.

As the annual pilgrimage is just three days away, Saudi authorities have stepped up preparations to make the event a big success. Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy reiterated that the government would do everything possible to ensure the welfare and security of pilgrims. The Civil Defense Department, which plays a major role in Haj operations, has set out an emergency plan to deal with rains and flash floods during Haj.

“We have taken all precautions in coordination with other government departments to confront the danger of flash floods,” said Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri, its director general.

The department has readied 110 boats with expert divers as well as mobile bridges as part of the emergency plan.

“We will use pumps and trucks to remove floodwater from roads,” he said.

The department will coordinate with the Haj Ministry and Tawafa organizations to evacuate pilgrims from tents in the event of flooding. It has arranged two large shelters in Arafat and Mina. “We will also use schools, Um Al-Qura University and wedding halls as shelters if required,” he said.

Civil defense has opened 404 centers in the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa, Tuwaijeri said, adding that these centers are provided with nearly 3,000 pieces of equipment and vehicles and manned by more than 10,000 men in addition to emergency forces. The department has also readied 100 ambulances and 100 firefighting vehicles.

Haj begins on Sunday with pilgrims assembling in the tent city of Mina in preparation for their journey to Arafat, where they will stand in prayer the next day in the Haj climax.

Monday evening, soon after sunset, the faithful will leave Arafat for Muzdalifa where they will spend the night before returning to Mina for a number of rites such as stoning at Jamrat Al-Aqaba, sacrificing animals and performing Tawaf Al-Ifada at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

They will stay in Mina the next two or three days to perform the stoning ritual at the three Jamrat: Jamrat Al-Oula, Wusta and Aqaba.

The government has mobilized all of its resources to provide modern living facilities for pilgrims in the holy sites. The Health Ministry deploys nearly 10,000 of its personnel, including doctors, nurses and technicians to serve the guests of God.