RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said yesterday Iranian-backed Hizbollah's routing of the Western-backed government's supporters in Lebanon could affect the Islamic Republic's ties with Arab countries.

"Of course, for Iran to back the coup that happened in Lebanon and support it will have an impact on its relations with all Arab countries," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said at a news conference.

Hizbollah and its opposition allies have routed supporters of the Sunni-led government in Beirut and hills to the east in fighting that has pushed Lebanon to the brink of a new civil war.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected accusations Iran was meddling in Lebanon and blamed the violence on the US and Israel.

Prince Saud said his country was concerned about what he called the "coup" that had taken place in Lebanon.