By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday denied allegations that Tehran was interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs, dismissing Saudi foreign minister’s claims that Iran supported a Hezbollah “coup.”
“Iran is the only country which does not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs,” Ahmadinejad told a press conference in Tehran.
He said that Lebanese people were able to cope with their own issues and the international community should “let them solve their problems.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal earlier Tuesday warned Iran that its support for a “coup” in Lebanon by the Shiite Hezbollah group will harm the country’s relations with Arab states.
“Iran is supporting the coup that happened in Lebanon and this will affect Tehran’s relations with Arab states, if not all Muslim states,” al-Faisal said in a televised news conference.
Ahmadinejad said al-Faisal was not following the orders of Saudi King Abdullah when he made the remarks.
The Iranian president also noted that Tehran is ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia on the Lebanese issue.
Deadly clashes between anti and pro-government supporters in Lebanon erupted Wednesday, one day after the Lebanese cabinet decided to cease the private communication network of the leading opposition group of Hezbollah and remove airport security chiefGen. Wafik Shqaier for alleged links with Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s leading Arabic daily An Nahar reported Monday that fierce clashes between pro-government forces and the Hezbollah-led opposition in Lebanon had left at least 72 killed, hundreds of others injured.