RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says Iran's support for what he called Hezbollah's coup in Lebanon will affect Iran's relations with Arab and Islamic countries.

Prince Saud al-Faisal has called on all Mideast countries to respect Lebanon's independence and refrain from stoking sectarian tensions in the country. Iran and Syria back the militant Hezbollah group, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, but have denied meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs.

Tuesday's press conference by the Saudi foreign minister comes as the Lebanese army has said its soldiers will use force if needed to impose order after almost a week of clashes between the Western-backed government and Hezbollah-led opposition.