Saudis in Syrian diplomatic spat

Mr Shara criticised Saudi Arabia for not attending talks on Iraqi security

Saudi Arabia has strongly criticised claims from Syria that it has lost influence in the Middle East.

The Muslim kingdom branded criticism by Syrian Vice President Faruq al-Shara earlier this week "lies and fallacies".

In a speech in the Syrian capital of Damascus, Mr Shara said Saudi foreign policy was "virtually paralysed".

But an unnamed source quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency said the Syrian remarks did not come from a "rational or prudent person".

Mr Shara said the collapse of a Palestinian unity deal brokered by Saudi officials in the holy city of Mecca showed the kingdom's influence was on the wane.

'Distasteful'

He also criticised Saudi Arabia for not attending a meeting on Iraqi security hosted by Syria earlier this month.

But a Saudi official told the official press agency: "The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has followed with great surprise the distasteful statements recently made by ... (Mr Shara), which included numerous lies and fallacies aimed at harming us.

"Talk about the paralysis of the kingdom's Arab and Islamic role does not come from a rational and prudent person, as this role is well known to everyone.

"Perhaps Mr Shara had a slip of the tongue and meant by paralysis the policy he speaks for."

Correspondents say Saudi Arabia and Syria remain at odds over many issues in the Middle East, including relations with Iran and the political crisis in Lebanon.

The BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi says the unusually strong Saudi statement reflects growing frustration with the regime in Damascus.