Speaking of our friends the Saudis, they let the mask slip a little bit yesterday, as Prince Saud al-Faisal threatened Israel with war and King Abdullah said Iraq is under an “illegitimate foreign occupation.”

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday rejected Saudi Arabia’s charge that Iraq is under an “illegitimate foreign occupation” and said U.S. troops are there at Iraq’s invitation, under a U.N. mandate. “It is not accurate to say that the United States is occupying Iraq,” said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

The cross-fire reflecting growing differences between the two long-time allies at a time when the Saudis are taking on a greater leadership role in the Middle East.

Saudi King Abdullah surprised Washington on Wednesday by telling an Arab summit that, “In beloved Iraq, blood flows between brothers in the shadow of illegitimate foreign occupation and hateful sectarianism, threatening a civil war.”