Europeans say Hizbullah a terror group
Photo: Reuters
EU brands Hizbullah a terror group
Non-binding European Parliament resolution urges EU ministers to take action against organization
STRASBOURG, France - The European Parliament has branded the Hizbullah a terror group and urged European Union ministers to take action against the organization.
"Parliament considers that clear evidence exists of terrorist activities by Hizbullah. The (EU) Council should take all necessary steps to curtail them," A non-binding resolution adopted by a big majority said.
The resolution, which also renewed a call for Syria to withdraw its troops and intelligence services from Lebanon, was adopted by 473 votes to eight with 33 abstentions.
The EU is under pressure from the United States and Israel to add the Iranian-backed Hizbullah to its list of outlawed terrorist organizations, obliging member states to seize its assets and take action against its members.
But several EU governments, concerned about upsetting delicate Middle East negotiations, have so far been reluctant, including France, Spain and Britain.
Security officials say Hizbullah backs Palestinian terror
Hizbullah, a mainly Shiite Muslim movement, has broad popular support, notably in south Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Security officials here have accused the group of fueling Palestinian terrorism in a bid to thwart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Officials have said the group was behind up to 75 percent of recent terror attacks against Israel, and added the Hizbullah has offered large sums of money to Palestinians willing to carry out attacks in violation of the truce declared by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
-Yigal Walt also contributed to this report
