RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's
King Salman on Sunday called on other countries not to interfere 
in the
kingdom's internal affairs in what appeared to be a rebuke to Riyadh's
main foe Iran, which it accuses of attempting to stir unrest.
in the
kingdom's internal affairs in what appeared to be a rebuke to Riyadh's
main foe Iran, which it accuses of attempting to stir unrest.
"It is our right to defend ourselves, without interfering
in the affairs of others. We call on others to not interfere in our
affairs," Salman said in a speech opening the annual Janadriya cultural
festival in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported.
"We cooperate with our Arab and Muslim brothers in all
areas in defending our lands and ensuring their independence and
guarding their government systems as sanctioned by their peoples," he
added.
Salman
did not elaborate, but his remarks seemed aimed at Iran, which Riyadh
accuses of destabilizing Arab states and spreading sectarianism by
backing militias in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen and fomenting unrest
in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Iran denies seeking to destabilize the region or incite
sectarian hatred. It in turn accuses Riyadh of fomenting discord by
backing rebels in Syria, going to war in Yemen and propagating an
ultra-conservative Sunni Muslim school that declares Shi'ites heretical.
The Saudi king, who succeeded to power a year ago after
the death of his half-brother Abdullah, brought together a coalition of
Arab states to back military action in Yemen to restore its government
after it was ousted by an Iran-allied militia.
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