Syrian minister condemns Saudi Arabia 'interference'

The Syrian information minister has lashed out at Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh is responsible for his country's conflict.

Omran al-Zoubi says Saudi Arabia is providing weapons and money to "terrorists", the government's term for rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad.

Damascus has previously blamed Sunni Gulf states for its civil war.

Mr Al-Zoubi's remarks came after Riyadh said Syria faces a "foreign invasion" by Mr Assad's allies.

His comments were carried by the state-run SANA news agency late yesterday after Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal discussed the conflict with US secretary of state John Kerry in Jiddah, condemning Mr Assad for bolstering his army with fighters from Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Saudi Arabia is Washington's key ally and a foe of Iran. It is backing Syria's predominantly Sunni rebels. Tehran supports Mr Assad.

PA