MAKKAH, 23 December 2007 — Interior Minister Prince Naif, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, declared yesterday the success of this year’s Haj operation and commended security officers for their excellent work in managing the world’s largest gathering.
“Thanks be to God, there was not a single accident and the Kingdom and all pilgrims are free of diseases and epidemics and this is, of course, a great blessing from God,” Prince Naif told commanders of security forces that took part in the Haj operation.
The minister had only praise for the security forces for their efforts to ensure the security and safety of the guests of God who came from more than 180 countries. Nearly three million pilgrims, including 1.7 million from abroad, performed Haj this year.
“You have won the satisfaction of the pilgrims. You have also received appreciation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan for work well done. The people of Saudi Arabia are proud of you,” the prince told the officers.
Prince Naif said it was a great honor for Saudi security officers to serve the guests of God. “We thank God for helping us to do our duty. We have also proved to the world that we are capable of carrying out this mission,” the minister said.
Before the beginning of Haj last Monday Saudi security officers arrested suspected Al-Qaeda militants planning attacks during the pilgrimage.
Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the militants wanted to cause “security confusion” during the Haj operation and undermine all Haj plans.
The suspects were arrested in various cities in the Kingdom days before the start of the pilgrimage, the official said but he did not say how many were arrested or their nationalities. Saudi authorities deployed more than 50,000 security forces in the holy sites to ensure Haj security.
The arrest of a new group of terror suspects reflects the continuing efforts of the deviant group to recruit young men to carry out terrorist operations all over the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has been successful in tracking down a number of terror cells during the past years and has won world acclaim. Prince Naif said that the Saudi security forces had foiled 95 percent of terrorist attacks planned by militants. A total of 58 police officers have fallen as martyrs in these anti-terror operations.
Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director of public security, said the Haj security plan was carried out this year in an excellent manner. He praised all security forces for their joint efforts to make the plan successful. He also commended security forces for their pre-emptive operations against militants.
Maj. Gen. Ali ibn Habab Al-Nafiee, commander of Haj security forces, said the number of criminals, including thieves and pickpockets, arrested during this Haj season was smaller in comparison to previous years. “By the grace of God, we were also able to uncover a terrorist cell before the Haj season. That was a great blessing.”
Maj. Gen. Fahd Al-Bishr, assistant commander of the Haj security forces for traffic affairs, attributed the success of this year’s Haj security plan to the continuous efforts of security commanders and officers as well as to the execution of projects such as the Jamrat Bridge. Maj. Gen. Al-Turki said the security forces had been able to uncover the terrorist cell before the Haj season as a result of their continuous efforts to track down militants and their expertise.
Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khilaiwi, assistant commander for Haj security forces, thanked God for the success of this year’s Haj operation. “Every year we plan to manage the Haj in the best manner having learned many lessons from past mistakes. We have gained a great deal of experience in this field,” he told Arab News.
