RIYADH: Saudi Arabia last night warned against any attempts to politicise the Haj, saying they would threaten the safety of more than two million pilgrims.

The warning follows remarks by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to departing pilgrims that the Haj should "display the firm resolve of the Muslim nation to confront attempts that damage its unity and progress".

"Pilgrims cannot ignore events in the Muslim world. Today Iraq, Afghanistan, the oppressed Palestine and parts of Pakistan are pressured by foreign troops," Khamenei's website quoted him as saying last week.

The Saudi government said it would not allow anyone to "mar the serenity of the Haj, jeopardise the security of the pilgrims and attempt to divide Islamic ranks".

Later this month one of the world's biggest religious gatherings will begin. It has often seen sectarian tensions.

Saudi newspapers accused Iran of attempting to "politicise" the Haj and some commentators said Khamenei's call was an attempt to unify Iranians divided by domestic turmoil over the June elections.