Dialogue is the best way to resolve any problems in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said on Wednesday, adding any foreign interference will not be tolerated.

'The best way to achieve what citizens want is through dialogue whether in the eastern region, or the western, southern and northern regions,' the minister told a news conference.

'The principle of dialogue, I believe, is the best way to address the issues facing society,' he said, warning foreign states not to interfere in Saudi affairs.

'Change will come through the citizens of this kingdom and not through foreign fingers, we don't need them,' he said. 'We will cut any finger that crosses into the kingdom.'

'The called-for reform does not come via protests and (the clerics) have forbidden protests since they violate the Koran and the way of the Prophet,' Prince Saud said.

Protests in neighbouring Bahrain are being closely watched in Saudi Arabia.

US State Department spokesman P J Crowley said this week that Saudis had the right to protest peacefully. Asked about this, Prince Saud said: 'The kingdom absolutely rejects any foreign interference in its internal affairs in any shape or form.'

He added that the motives driving unrest buffeting numerous Arab nations were not necessarily the same. 'Every country is different from the other. I can't link them and say this is a rampant phenomenon,' he said.

Prince Saud, who is the nephew of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, said it was up to regional grouping the Arab League to decide what to do to bring calm to Libya, where there is a violent uprising against its leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

'The options to reach this goal, which is protecting the Libyans and stopping bloodshed, are up to the Arab League,' he said. Arab foreign ministers are due to meet on Saturday in Cairo to discuss the Libyan crisis.

Libya's rebel leadership has called on the international community to impose a no-fly zone to ground Gaddafi's warplanes. -Reuters