February 7, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 5,1423

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MAKKAH, Feb 6: Saudi Arabia warned on Thursday it would not tolerate any trouble makers at the Haj, which falls this year amid heightened tension over a looming US-led invasion of Iraq.

“We will not allow any person or party to disrupt the security of the Haj,” Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz said at a press conference on Wednesday after inspecting security preparations here.

“Our hand is strong and decisive ... We have taken all precautions and measures,” Prince Nayef, who also heads the Haj committee, said after watching a parade of thousands of paramilitary troops.

The minister admitted that security had been beefed up this year in light of regional tension over Iraq.

“We take the necessary security preparations at every Haj. Undoubtedly, under the current circumstances in the world” more was needed, he said.

“We hope these situations pass off peacefully. Now security is of ‘added’ great importance,” in anticipation of a fresh assault on Iraq, he added.

“Let all those who may be plotting to disrupt the Haj security know ... we will not allow them.”—AFP