SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN FAILS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON HAJJ

Saudi Arabia and Iran have failed to
reach a deal on arrangements for
Iranians to attend this year's Islamic
pilgrimage to Mecca, with officials from
both countries trading accusations on
who was to blame for the impasse.
Saudi officials accused their Iranian
counterparts of walking out of talks
early on Friday, despite what they said
were offers for "solutions" to the Iranian
demands.
A statement from Saudi's pilgrimage
ministry said the Iranian government
"will be responsible in front of Allah
Almighty and its people for inability of
the Iranian citizens to perform Hajj for
this year".
It added that the Saudi leadership "has
stressed its categorical rejection to
politicise Hajj rituals".
Saeed Ohadi, head of Iran's office that
organises the pilgrimage, earlier told
Iran's state television PressTV, that his
country will not send pilgrims to Saudi
Arabia unless their safety is ensured.
Ohadi also said the "lack of a unified
decision" by Saudi officials is causing
the delay in the agreement.
Every year, millions of Muslims travel
to Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest


# AL Jazeera