RIYADH, Jan 6: The Muslim faithful who throng Makkah during the annual Haj must not cause trouble, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abul Aziz has warned.

"All the pilgrims must carry out their rituals and avoid anything which may disturb their pilgrimage or that or their brothers," Abdullah told a cabinet meeting in the capital on Monday, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

The Saudi authorities have issued similar warnings every year, also banning meetings or the raising of slogans, since 1987 when clashes between security forces and Iranians protesting against Israel and the United States officially left 402 people dead.

Ministers reviewed general preparations for the annual gathering of more than two million people at Makkah which is set to climax in February. "Pilgrims must be provided with all facilities to help them perform their duties with ease and comfort," Abdullah said.-AFP