RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia has reiterated that it will not take part in military action against Iraq and will not necessarily allow strikes to be launched from its territory, Saudi newspapers said on Wednesday.

The papers were quoting Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal telling a news conference late on Tuesday that even if the United Nations sanctions war on Iraq, the kingdom would not send troops to fight alongside the U.S. Army.

The kingdom, a key U.S. ally, sent soldiers to the 1991 U.S.-led Persian Gulf war against Baghdad and was a main launchpad for the strikes.

Last month, Prince Saud told CNN that his country would not allow the United States to use its facilities for any attack against neighboring Iraq, apparently contradicting earlier remarks in which he indicated Washington could use Saudi bases if the war was approved by the United Nations.

Saudi Arabia hosts more than 5,000 U.S. soldiers and other Western troops. Asked if these soldiers would be used in an attack, Saud said the troops were in Prince Sultan airbase to enforce no-fly zones in southern Iraq, adding: "This does not mean the kingdom will attack Iraq or will allow strikes from its territory."

"If the UN Security Council sanctions war against Iraq, that will require cooperation, but this does not mean that all countries must take part in military action," he added as quoted by AFP. "Obviously, we will not take part in military action."

A U.S. air campaign against Iraq would be more difficult, but not impossible, without access to Saudi bases.

The United States has turned to Qatar, another regional ally, pouring $1.4 billion into expanding bases there. The move may be partly responsible for a row between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Although concerned about U.S. ties, Saudi Arabia is wary of an attack on Iraq mainly due to internal opposition and sympathy for Iraq among many ordinary Muslims.

Saud said the kingdom was trying its best to prevent any war on Iraq, as it would destabilize the whole region.

He also denied there was any crisis in the kingdom's relations with the United States.

U.S.-Saudi ties have come under pressure since the September 11, 2001 suicide attacks. Several of the suspected hijackers were Saudis. Saudi Arabia has angrily denounced what it calls "negative propaganda" against it by U.S. media.