Saud Arabia's King Salman has emphasized that his country will "always keen on maintaining the Arab and Islamic unity" and will not allow anyone to take political advantage of the Hajj stampede tragedy. King Salman's comments came as he chaired the weekly session of the Council of Ministers at Al-Yamama Palace on Monday, where he said the "irresponsible statements aimed at political exploitation of the Mina stampede and causing dissension and division in the Muslim world will not affect the Kingdom's role and its duty to serve pilgrims." "The Kingdom, which is honored by Allah to serve the two holy mosques and pilgrims visiting them, is exerting all efforts and capabilities to ensure the safety of pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort," he added. Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Adel Al-Turaifi, minister of culture and information, said the King thanked the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries as well as all others who offered condolences to the Kingdom on the death of pilgrims in the stampede. While briefing the Cabinet on his recent meeting with Yemen's President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, King Salman also reiterated Saudi Arabia's full support to Yemen and its internationally recognized government. The Saudi Cabinet also denounced violations and continuous attacks by Israel and Jewish settlers on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the occupied West Bank and its Palestinian citizens. The Cabinet, while condemning the recent bombings at a peace rally in Ankara, re-emphasized its "solidarity with the brotherly Republic of Turkey in combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."
