The British government said on Wednesday it was adding the military wing of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah to its list of banned terrorist organizations. "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," the Home Office said in a statement.
"Hezbollah's military wing also provides support to Palestinian terrorist groups in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad," said the statement.
"It is because of this support for terrorism in Iraq and the Occupied Palestinian Territories that the Government has taken this action," the statement said, adding that proscription of Hezbollah's military wing would not affect its "legitimate political, social and humanitarian role."
The British action "sends out a clear message that we condemn Hezbollah's violence and support for terrorism," it said.
The statement urged Hezbollah to "end terrorist activity and its support for terrorism in Iraq and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, abandon its status as an armed group and participate in the democratic process on the same terms as other Lebanese political parties."