Saudi Armed Forces prepare for Hajj - in pictures

Military parade in Makkah as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive in the country

Saudi Armed Forces march during a parade in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah ahead of Hajj. All photos AFP

Security forces take part in a drill.

Security personnel marched and took part in an elaborate exercise to show it is ready for any event.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and the world's largest annual pilgrimage

The Saudi General Directorate of Passports said the number of Hajj pilgrims coming from abroad via air, land and sea reached 1,486,958.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of InteriorAbdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef looks on during the drill.

Saudi Arabia's Armed Forces took part in an annual military demonstration on Monday ahead of the arrival of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for Hajj.

Security personnel marched and took part in an elaborate exercise to show it is ready for any event.

On Tuesday, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports said the number of Hajj pilgrims coming from abroad via air, land and sea ports reached 1,486,958.

The Saudi Press Agency broke down the arrival figures as follows:

• Arriving by air: 1,392,928
• By land 78,282
• By sea 15,748

Eithad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, said on Monday it is operating special charters to carry pilgrims on its additional flights to Jeddah and Medina Airport.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and the world's largest annual pilgrimage.

Find out more here: Hajj 2018 explained - The journey of a lifetime