Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday told dignitaries attending the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage that the kingdom has made progress in eradicating terrorism aimed at attacking its holy sites.
Saudi Arabia, which stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites and organising the haj, has been hit by bombings in recent years and uncovered plots to carry out attacks in Mecca.
“The limbs of terrorism have sought to harm the holy cities, paying no attention to their sanctity,” King Salman told foreign dignitaries at a reception he held in Mecca.
“But the kingdom, by the grace of God and in cooperation with its brothers and friends, has made big successes in eradicating terrorism and has worked decisively and with determination to dry its sources.”
The pilgrimage has frequently been hit by stampedes and fires.
In the most recent incident, hundreds of pilgrims were killed in a crush two years ago.
