Jeddah – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed on Monday his satisfaction with the success of this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage.

His stance came in reply to a cable he received from Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, congratulating the monarch on the successful pilgrimage.

King Salman added that he received positive feedback from pilgrims and officials from various countries over the major security, health and organizational services that have been provided at the Hajj.

He stressed that he was honored to serve the two holy mosques and their visitors, thanking in a cable the princes of various regions, all officials at the Interior Ministry and members of the civil and military sectors for their efforts in organizing the Hajj.

For his part, the Minister of Interior credited the pilgrimage’s success to King Salman’s wise guidance, the follow up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the dedication of security forces, the Defense Ministry, national guard and intelligence services, as well as all government and civil organizations associated with the Hajj.

He revealed that 2,352,122 pilgrims performed this year’s Hajj, marking a rise of 26 percent from last year, saying that they performed the rituals smoothly and without incident.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, sent a cable in reply to the Minister of Interior. He expressed his great gratitude for his efforts and those of the princes of all regions in making the Hajj a success.

He also thanked the security forces, the military sector and civil and government agencies that were part of organizing the Hajj.