Saudi Arabia slammed as "aggressive and irresponsible" on Monday accusations by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that the kingdom was supporting global terrorism.

"The kingdom condemns the aggressive and irresponsible statements made by the Iraqi prime minister," an unidentified official told the state SPA news agency.

In an interview aired on Saturday, Maliki charged that Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Qatar were supporting militant groups in Iraq and across the Middle East as well as terrorism worldwide.