MAKKAH – Authorities have completed periodic maintenance works of the Holy Kaaba, director of the operation and maintenance wing of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has said. The official said latest technology and the best available material of international standards was used in the maintenance of the Holy Kaaba. The maintenance works included sanitizing the outer walls of the cubicle structure and treatment of the cracks using high quality material. Also, the rings for fixing the Kiswa (the embroidered cloth covering the Kaaba) have been re-gilded, an Okaz Online report said on Tuesday. The lower part of the Kiswa was raised by about three meters. The raised part was covered with a white cotton cloth about two meters wide from the four sides, as is the annual custom and according to the approved plan for this year"s (1441 AH) Hajj season. This measure is precautionary and is meant to preserve the cleanliness and safety of the Kiswa.