RIYADH: Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has issued an order affirming a total ban on the use of liquefied cooking gas at the holy sites. Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Twaijri, Director General of the Civil Defense, said the decision to continue the ban is for the safety and security of Haj pilgrims. The gas cylinders pose a fire risk, he said. All violators will be punished, he added. Al-Twaijri confirmed that there is continuous coordination with all the security agencies to prevent the entry of liquefied gas into the holy sites. A significant number of Civil Defense safety teams are on patrol at the pilgrims' camps to ensure that there are no gas cylinders, and to book violators. He stressed that the officers are empowered to confiscate gas cylinders and cookers and impose the stipulated fines. He said the ban also applies, without exception, to all the buildings and camps of government and private agencies. Al-Twaijri said he expects all the Haj agencies and companies to comply with the decision. He said the media plays an important role in informing people about the use of liquefied gas. Al-Twaijri urged pilgrims to comply with the ban and report any violation.
