By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The Arab League, the Arab world’s main regional group, has ceased referring to Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization” in an apparent warning to Israel and its allies, including the United States, Worthy News monitored Saturday.
Hossam Zaki, the Arab League’s assistant secretary-general, told several media after visiting Beirut, Lebanon, that in “previous Arab League decisions, Hezbollah was designated as a terrorist organization. This designation was reflected in the resolutions, leading to the severing of communication based on these decisions.”
However, the “member states of the League agreed that the label of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization should no longer be employed,” Zaki stressed.
The official attributed this decision to “the designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization no longer applies.” He stressed that “the Arab League does not maintain terrorist lists and does not actively seek to designate entities in such a manner.”
It meant a moral boost for the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which is backed by Iran and preparing for an all-out war with Israel.
Tens of thousands of people have already fled border areas in Lebanon and neighboring Israel amid as often deadly cross-border clashes intensified in recent weeks.
Hezbollah said it will only stop attacking Israel if it halts its military offensive in Gaza.
SUPPORTING HAMAS
The group, still viewed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and other countries, supports Hamas, which killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250 others in Israel on October 7, triggering the war.
On March 11, 2016, the Arab League classified Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization” with reservations from Lebanon and Iraq.
At the time, the League reportedly urged Hezbollah to “cease promoting extremism and sectarianism, refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of countries, and withhold any support for terrorism and terrorists in the region.”
The classification occurred days after the Gulf Cooperation Council countries also designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization on March 2, 2016.
Zaki said he had been using his visit to Lebanon to “de-escalate tensions” in southern Lebanon since the onset of Israel’s military operations in Gaza that Israel says are aimed at destroying Hamas.
He said he also addressed Lebanon’s prolonged presidential vacancy at a time when the nation of over five million people faces turmoil.
The post is currently vacant after Michel Aoun left the presidency in 2022, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he would not be assuming the presidency’s powers. Aoun delegated those responsibilities to the council of ministers, saying Lebanon’s constitution does not allow an interim president.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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