Moscow, Sept 7, IRNA � The Hajj message by Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran which refers to the Saudi government's incompetency to manage and perform the Muslim annual Hajj pilgrimage, has legal and international basis, says a Russian expert.


'Saudi Arabia that hosts during the annual ceremony more than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world is responsible for their safety and security,' Vladimir Zakharov, Head of the Russian Institute for Strategic Research told the Islamic Republic News Agency on Wednesday.

The Mina bloody stampede as well as the crane accident in Mecca demonstrated that the Saudi government is unable to do its responsibilities, Zakharov said.

'And the Leader of the Islamic Revolution raised and underlined the issue in his message to the Muslim world on the occasion of the beginning of this year's Hajj season and called for the incidents to be internationally investigated,' he said.

'According to the international regulations, Iran has the right to file a lawsuit against the Saudi Arabia at the international judicial courts for the death of more than 400 Iranian pilgrims who lost their lives in Mina stampede last year, Zakharov said.

The expert on Iran and Middle East also said that Saudi Arabia should assume the responsibility for its actions and the incidents caused as a result of its mismanagements.

The Russian researcher and political expert said despite the fact that the Muslim sacred places are in Saudi Arabia, this is not going to mean that Saudis should maintain monopoly over the holy sites.

'All the Muslims should look for a solution,' Zakharov said.

By IRNA