Saudi Arabia dismisses 'lie' that it's blocking COP26 deal

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister has dismissed accusations that his country blocked negotiations for a solution to climate change at the COP26 conference as "a lie".

While walking behind the scenes of the conference in Glasgow, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman was asked by a reporter if Saudi Arabia has stalled talks on a decision for adaptation to the consequences of climate change - a claim made by global environmental activism group Greenpeace last week.

"What you've been hearing is a false allegation, a cheat and a lie," he can be seen saying in a video Channel 4 News shared on Wednesday.

The minister was asked by another reporter if fossil fuels are the main driver of global warming. 

"No, I think they will be a good way forward," he responded.

"We should use all resources, as long as we congregate around mitigating [them]."

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top oil exporters. Its economy is highly dependent on oil sales.

Environmental observers hope that states attending the conference will reach an action plan to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celcius.

Greenpeace and other groups say the fossil fuel use must be completely and immediately phased out to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.

Saudi leaders are trying to diversify and strengthen the country's economy through the Vision 2030 strategy, by investing in sectors including tourism and education.