In jab at Iran, Gulf Arab states declare Hezbollah a terrorist group

March 2, 2016

BEIRUT — A Saudi-dominated political bloc on Wednesday formally designated Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia a terrorist organization, a move that signals dangerously escalating tensions between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Gulf Cooperation Council’s decision against the Iranian-allied group comes two weeks after Saudi Arabia canceled a $4 billion aid package for strengthening Lebanese security services. A blistering statement posted on the GCC website accused Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite Muslim movement, of “hostile acts” in the six states in the Sunni bloc: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The statement, citing GCC Secretary General Rashid al-Zayani, accused the group of recruitment to carry out terrorist attacks, as well as smuggling of weapons and explosives, “in flagrant violation of its sovereignty, security and stability.”

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The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council has designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization, it said on Wednesday, ratcheting up pressure on the Iran-allied group that wields influence in Lebanon and plays a key role in the Syrian crisis.

Gulf Arab states imposed sanctions on Hezbollah members in 2013 in retaliation for the group's intervention in Syria's civil war in support of President Bashar al-Assad. And individual GCC countries - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab emirates and Bahrain - have labelled the group terrorists.

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JANFU said:

Thoughts are?

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OrphanSlug said:

More mess, about the only outcome we can count on with these groups.

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Simpleχity;1065617566 said:

In jab at Iran, Gulf Arab states declare Hezbollah a terrorist group



The pot calling the kettle black.

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