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Britain bans military wing of Hezbollah
British lawmakers voted Tuesday to include the military wing of Lebanese-based group Hezbollah to Britain's list of banned terrorist organizations, charging it supported terror activities in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. The action by the House of Commons would make it a crime to join or support the military wing of the radical group, which fought a bloody month-long conflict with Israel two years ago.Britain's minister in charge of fighting terrorism Tony McNulty charged that the movement was linked to insurgent groups in Iraq that had attacked coalition soldiers. "I can say unequivocally that Hezbollah's military wing is providing active support to Shia militant groups in Iraq," he said. The ban passed the chamber unopposed. The measure will take effect with the House of Lords expected approval later this week. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had told lawmakers earlier this month that he wanted to add the military wing of the organization to a list of banned terrorist organizations. Britain lists 45 groups as banned international terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Hezbollah's external security organization has been listed since 2001. McNulty insisted that Hezbollah's social and political work in Britain will be unaffected, but the ban will place tight limits on fundraising. Posted by: Fred 2008-07-16 |
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