Riyadh rubbishes Iran criticism

ALL SYSTEMS GO: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, inspects a parade of the Haj security forces in Mina on Monday. (AN photo by Ahmed Hashad)

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif on Monday dismissed Iranian criticism of Haj management as baseless.
Addressing a press conference after inspecting the parade of the Haj security forces in Mina, he said: “There is no credibility in their claims and they know full well that the Kingdom offers excellent services to all pilgrims, including Iranians.”
Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, has spared no effort in providing state-of-the-art services for the safety, comfort and security of all pilgrims, said the crown prince.
The Kingdom will remain firm and steadfast in dealing with any threat that may destabilize the pilgrimage, added the crown prince.
“The Iranian Haj mission made certain requests that were in violation of Haj regulations,” he said.
They were demanding things that jeopardize the security of other pilgrims. The Iranian government blocked its pilgrims from coming to Haj this year with a view to politicizing the pilgrimage.