Saudi Arabia warned the Hizbullah-led opposition on Thursday against an escalation of its confrontation with the government, warning that conflict would only benefit "extremist external forces," in an apparent reference to Iran.
"The kingdom urges the groups behind the escalation to reconsider their position, and to realize that leading Lebanon towards turmoil will not bring victory to any party except extremist external forces," the state news agency SPA quoted an official as saying.
The comments came on the second day of anti-government protests in Beirut which blocked roads and forced Lebanon”s only international airport to close in a major escalation of a long-running political crisis.
Lebanon”s opposition is backed by Iran and Syria while Saudi Arabia, the regional Sunni Arab powerhouse, supports the ruling majority.