Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani hailed on Thursday the massive efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). He expressed to SPA his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his government for the attention showed and services provided to the pilgrims to guarantee that they would perform the rituals with ease and security. The world witnessed with admiration the efforts exerted by the Kingdom to host more than 2.3 million pilgrims, he added. Zayani praised the government for adopting ambitious security, health and media plans for the Hajj, as well as the providing the necessary manpower to facilitate the rituals for the pilgrims. The lack of any accident or incident stands as testament to the sound planning and organization of the pilgrimage by the Kingdom, he went on to say. With its wise leadership, Saudi Arabia will remain the leading Islamic nation and it is proving this on a yearly basis by its hosting of the Hajj, he stressed. Zayani concluded by congratulating King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, on the great success of this year’s pilgrimage.