Saudi Arabia calls Iran an "occupier" of Syria

Them's fighting words!

Iran must withdraw its "occupying" forces from Syria to help resolve that country's conflict, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Monday after talks with his German counterpart.

"Our reservations are about Iran's policy in the region, not about Iran as a country or people," the foreign minister said at a joint press conference in the Red Sea city of Jeddah with Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

"In many conflicts, Iran is part of the problem, not the solution," Prince Saud said, charging that Shiite-dominated Iran had forces in Syria "fighting Syrians."

"In this case, we can say that Iranian forces in Syria are occupying forces," aiding President Bashar al-Assad, whom he described as an "illegitimate" leader.

It seems apparent that Faisal is referring to Hezbollah, although there have been reports of Iranian soldiers in Syria as well.

There can't be a much worse insult in the Middle East Muslim world than to call someone an "occupier."