Saudi Arabia has barred more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca this week, authorities said, as the world's largest annual gathering of people has officially begun.

A Saudi government spokesperson says more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in the country for this year's Hajj.

We urge the first batch of pilgrims to be ready for their return trip and pray for a smooth return leg operation for all our pilgrims."He also reminded Muslim faithful of the spiritual significance of Hajj,