RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has accused Hezbollah, without naming it, of “uncalculated adventures” that can precipitate a new Middle East crisis. A Saudi official, quoted by the state Saudi Press Agency, said Hezbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers was not legitimate.

The official said Hezbollah’s actions could lead to “an extremely serious situation which could subject all Arab nations and its achievements to destruction.”

“The kingdom feels it is time for such elements to shoulder full responsibility for this irresponsible behaviour and that the burden of ending the crisis falls only on them,” the statement emphasised.

The Saudi government’s stance, it may be mentioned, is different from the stance of Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who has blamed Israel for the deterioration of situation in the region as a result of escalation of its military activities in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.