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RIYADH: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Monday rejected any suggestions that Saudi Arabia should give up its role as the organiser of the Haj following last month's deadly stampede in Mina.
"The irresponsible statements aiming for political exploitation of the incident... shall not affect the role of Saudi Arabia, its duty and responsibilities in serving the guests of God," said the Saudi monarch.
Saudi Arabia had deployed "all its capabilities and efforts... to provide the guests of God with comfort, security and safety," Salman said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.
"Saudi Arabia is incapable of organising the pilgrimage," said Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani.
Saudi Arabia has yet to provide an updated death toll after saying two days after the stampede that 769 pilgrims had died. Saudi authorities have also not provided a breakdown by nationality.
Days before the hajj, a construction crane collapsed at the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, killing 109 people including many foreigners.
King Salman ordered last month "a revision" of how the Haj is organised.
AFP
