The Interior Minister, Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, denounced the biased campaigns launched against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and said: “We were not expecting such media campaigns to disclose accurate reports and facts. I would like to reiterate that the Saudi people and their leadership have full confidence in their integrity,” he said.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, after inspecting Hajj arrangements in Makkah, Mina and the other holy sites, Prince Naif noted that what is published by the American media runs counter to fact, and added: “The reality of the religion and values of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is far from that fabricated in reports published by the American media; and in, the long run, truth will triumph.”
When questioned about prisoners in the Kingdom, Prince Naif said that their number does not exceed 250, and added that non-Saudi prisoners would be deported to their countries. He pointed out that the move to separate prisoners from the public security department was an independent decision, taken after intensive studies, and added: “It was by no means a result of foreign pressure.”
Prince Naif, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, said that Saudi officials are keen to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in comfort, ease and security. He added: “We will take the required security measures during the Hajj season.”
Prince Naif pointed out that Saudi borders would be open to receive Iraqi pilgrims, and added: “Saudi authorities will not, however, allow any person to enter Saudi territories illegally.”
Later, Prince Naif inspected a parade of security forces taking part in this year’s Hajj operations, and was briefed by the concerned officials on the Hajj plan.
The press conference was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Naifbin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs; Sheikh Salih Al-Hussein, President of the Affairs of the Holy Mosques of Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque; Dr Osama Shobokshi, Minister of Health; Dr Fouad Al-Farsy, Minister of Information; Dr Nasser Al-Salloum, Minister of Communications, and Asad bin Abdel-Karim Al-Fireih, Director of Public Security.
Prince Naif confirmed the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enable all Muslims, irrespective of their nationality, to perform Hajj rituals, and said: “We never allow political matters to become involved with the affairs of Hajj.”
Prince Naif urged all citizens to shoulder their responsibility to ensure the country’s security, and said: “We never tolerate any endeavour to undermine our security and stability.”
On the Palestinian issue, Prince Naif said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would unwaveringly work in service of the Palestinian cause. He noted that the Saudi initiative, presented at the Beirut Summit last year, for the settlement of the Middle East problem had become an Arab initiative. He urged the international community to work to promote implementation of the relevant UN resolutions to resolve the conflict. Prince Naif decried the repressive measures taken against the Palestinian people by the Israeli government, and said that Arabs and Muslims would continue to support their Palestinian brethren.
Prince Naif noted that admission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would not take place at the expense of its national interests or deep-rooted values.
He highlighted current Saudi-Yemeni security cooperation, and said that the Kingdom views the security of Yemen as its own security, and added: “I am confident that our Yemeni brethren also view the Kingdom’s security as their own security.”
He denied that current circumstances would make it necessary that Saudi authorities resort to compulsory conscription, and said: “If circumstances make compulsory conscription essential, then we will resort to it. All citizens are ready to serve their country.
Source: SPA
