Riyadh: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal has denied that he said Saudi Arabia's policy towards Lebanon had changed. He added that his statements on Lebanon were "taken out of the context".

The Saudi foreign minister told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the kingdom's position is that it will continue to back Lebanese legitimacy as it is the basis of stability, security and safety of that country.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia will continue to support the majority, adding that what has changed is the kingdom's position on mediation between Syria and Lebanon.

Earlier, Prince Saud said Saudi Arabia has "lifted its hand from mediation with Syria for solving the Lebanon crisis".

He described the situation in Lebanon as dangerous.

He added that if matters reach a stage of split and division it means that Lebanon has ended as a country that lived in peaceful co-existence among various religions, ethnic backgrounds and sects.

"The fading away of this model is a loss to the whole Arab nation," he said.

Interpretations of Leban-ese political forces have varied vis-à-vis the Saudi foreign minister's statements. In this context, a Saudi source emphasised that Saudi efforts to find a peaceful solution in Lebanon aim at preserving the interests of all parties.

Speaking to Gulf News, the source said foreign hands have been manipulating the crisis to perpetuate it, adding that this has hindered all positive efforts.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the statements by Prince Saud Al Faisal that his statements were taken out of context conform to the principal and historical position of the kingdom and its support for Leban-ese legitimacy.

He added that Arabs and regional countries like Turkey are keen to ensure Lebanon's security, stability and safety.

Meanwhile, the Saudi daily Al Watan reported that despite intensive Arab and international efforts in the past few months to help the Lebanese reach a comprehensive peaceful settlement, these efforts were often blocked by the intransigence of the Lebanese opposition.

The paper added in its editorial yesterday that the recent Qatari-Turkish efforts failed to pursuade Hezbollah and its allies to agree to mediation.

Lebanon is passing through a crisis over the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon on the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.