Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, has announced that plans are to be drawn up for modernising the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The call follows the death of more than 251 people in a stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The incident happened as pilgrims flocked to the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, near Mecca, to hurl stones at pillars representing the devil.
More than two million Muslims from around the world are in Mecca for the event. There have been similar stampedes in past years.
The official Saudi news agency said the 20-year modernisation project would be carried out with the help of experts from abroad.
