AFP, July 2, 2008 (excerpts) – Britain on Wednesday moved to ban the entire military wing of Hezbollah, adding it to its list of designated terrorist groups.
Toughening its stance on the Shiite Lebanese movement, the Home Office (interior ministry) move makes it a criminal offence to belong to, raise funds and encourage support for the group’s military wing.
The ministry said it took the action because Hezbollah’s military branch was supporting militants in Iraq and Palestinian terror groups.
London has already banned Hezbollah’s External Security Organisation (ESO), which it considers the organisation’s “terrorist wing”.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith laid the order in parliament, which, if approved, would substitute the existing proscription against the ESO.
“Hezbollah’s military wing is providing active support to militants in Iraq who are responsible for attacks both on coalition forces and on Iraqi civilians, including providing training in the use of deadly roadside bombs,” junior Home Office minister Tony McNulty said.
“Hezbollah’s military wing also provides support to Palestinian terrorist groups in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
“It is because of this support for terrorism in Iraq and Occupied Palestinian Territories that the government has taken this action.
Groups can also be banned for glorifying terrorism.
Proscription also makes it a criminal offence to wear clothing or carry articles in public “which arouse reasonable suspicion that a person is a member or supporter”.
Hezbollah is on the US State Department list of terrorist organisations and as such Washington has no dealings with the group.