Region | Lebanon

US and Saudis warn Iran over Lebanon

The United States and Saudi Arabia warned Iran on Tuesday of "interfering in Lebanon," saying Tehran was behind Hezbollah's move to take control of west Beirut.

  • Gulf News Report
  • Published: 18:07 May 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: The United States and Saudi Arabia warned Iran on Tuesday of "interfering in Lebanon," saying Tehran was behind Hezbollah's move to take control of west Beirut.

The ruling majority leader in Lebanon, Sa'ad Hariri, also accused Iran and Syria of orchestrating a Hezbollah "coup" and said the government "will not surrender."

Meanwhile, clashes between government supporters and Hezbollah-led opposition stopped and the Lebanese army deployed troops in tense areas.

The US will "keep its pressure" on Iran and Syria, US President George W. Bush, who starts another tour in the region today, told an Arabic TV station.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal, meanwhile, said Iran's support for what he described as Hezbollah's "coup" will affect Tehran's relations with Arab and Islamic countries.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shot back by saying the comments likely didn't conform to the views of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.

"Iran is the only country that doesn't interfere in Lebanon's affairs," he told reporters in Tehran.

- With inputs from AP

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