Some two million Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are performing their final rituals Sunday as this year's peaceful and trouble free haj nears an end.

In a statement carried by the official Saudi news agency, Saudi Arabian Health Minister Osama bin Abdul-Majid Shobokshi said this year's haj, which was attended by nearly two million people, has been "safe, clean and free of contagious diseases."

Saudi officials have reported no accidents at the Jamarat Bridge, near Mecca, a frequent trouble spot in the past. At least 35 people died in a stampede during last year's symbolic stoning ritual. In 1998, 119 people were killed in a similar incident.

Officials say security measures in place this year had prevented further stampedes.

Saudi authorities have said 1.84 million people performed the haj this year. Of these, 1.35 million came from abroad.

The first of the foreign pilgrims visiting the holy sites were beginning to leave Mecca Sunday.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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