The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah said Thursday the Iranian delegation to the talks on the arrangements for haj (pilgrimage) season this year refused to sign the minutes of the meetings.

    The delegation then preferred to brief the Iranian leaders on the draft agreement and insisted on meeting the Iranian demands first, the Ministry said in a press release carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

    The Iranian demands include issuing entry visas for the Iranians inside Iran online, which is practically inviable, and amending the civil aviation regulations to allow the national air carriers of both sides to carry 50 percent of the Iranian pilgrims each, which runs counter to the international rules, the statement said.

    The demands also include allowing the Iranian pilgrims to perform special rites, publish visitor bulletins and hold assemblies that could hamper traffic for other Muslim pilgrims.

Source: QNA