ABU DHABI Ñ Saudi Arabia's military has been recruited to ensure
security for the estimated two million Muslims expected to arrive for the
Haj pilgrimage.
Arab diplomatic sources said Saudi troops are patrolling Mecca and the
highways to the city that gave birth to Islam. Mecca will host the pilgrims,
more than 1 million of them who will come from abroad. More than 900,000
have already arrived in the kingdom.
The sources said the Saudi National Guard will help in the protection of
more than 7,000 visiting members from the Saudi royal family and their
guests. They will be housed in heavily-guarded facilities of the National
Guard.
National Guard regional commander Prince Faisal Ibn Abdullah said the
force has invested much of its resources in Haj security. He warned that his
force was ready to confront any emergency during the pilgrimage.
Saudi authorities have bolstered security both inside the kingdom as
well as at border points. Hundreds of people, including 81 from Egypt, have
been deported on allegations of trying to reach Mecca on forged documents.
"There has been great concern that Arabs with forged documents aim to
stir unrest in the kingdom," a Gulf source said. "In the case of the
Egyptians, it appears that they were duped by criminals in Cairo who sold
visas for thousands of dollars each."
Saudi officials said more than 50,000 permits have been issued to
non-Saudis in the kingdom. Brig. Gen. Hasan Reshwan, a Saudi security
official, said authorities have established road blocks and are examining
permits of those seeking to enter Mecca.
