1st LD: Iranian leader criticizes Saudi "inaction" over injured pilgrims

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday lashed out at the Saudi Arabian officials' "inaction" in relation to injured people during the latest Hajj ceremony in the Arab state, which led to the mass death of the pilgrims.

"Saudi Arabia did not implement its obligations in relation to the desperate injured pilgrims in the (Hajj) incident," Khamenei was quoted as saying by the state IRIB TV.

As for the transfer of the dead bodies of the Iranian pilgrims back to the country, "Saudi authorities do not stick to their obligations either and in some cases they do the opposite," he said.

Khamenei further criticized Saudi authorities for what he called their failure in providing security for pilgrims, saying that they turned the festival of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which is a major religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year, into mourning.

A "fact-finding committee" should be set up and representatives from the Islamic world and Iran should carry out investigations over the incident, Khamenei concluded.

The Hajj stampede in Mina near Mecca on Thursday, claimed lives of at least 239 Iranian pilgrims and injured 28 others. In the incident, over 200 other Iranian pilgrims are also missing.

According to Saudi officials, over 760 Muslim pilgrims have died during the stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Thursday.

Saudi interior ministry said the crush appears to have been caused by two waves of pilgrims meeting at an intersection. Endit