Riyadh : Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the setting up of 109 security centres in Mecca to monitor violations by pilgrims and fraudulent Haj firms, the Interior Ministry said.

The centres are supported by police aviation and high-tech equipment that will also pursue those who bring pilgrims with no Haj permits, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry last week said it had banned 95,400 individuals and 47,700 vehicles from entering Mecca for not having Haj permits.

It warned that the police would pursue violators inside the ritual sites in the city.

—IANS