Gulf states declare Lebanon”s Hezbollah ”terrorist” group

Gulf monarchies on Wednesday declared Lebanon’s Hezbollah a “terrorist” group, escalating tensions with the Shiite militant organisation that is fighting in support of Syria’s regime. The designation is the latest step taken by Gulf states against Hezbollah as ties between its main backer Iran and regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia deteriorate. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council […]

Gulf monarchies on Wednesday declared Lebanon’s Hezbollah a “terrorist” group, escalating tensions with the Shiite militant organisation that is fighting in support of Syria’s regime.
The designation is the latest step taken by Gulf states against Hezbollah as ties between its main backer Iran and regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia deteriorate.
The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council “decided to consider the militias (of Hezbollah) a terrorist organisation”, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani said in a statement.
He said the states targeted Hezbollah because of “hostile actions of the militia who recruit the young people (of the Gulf)”.
Zayani cited “their terrorist acts and incitement in Syria, Yemen and in Iraq”, which he said were threatening Arab security.
Saudi Arabia last month halted a $3 billion programme for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hezbollah, which has lawmakers in Beirut’s parliament.