Region | Lebanon
Britain amends ban on Hezbollah to include entire miltary wing
Britain is issuing an amendment on a ban on Lebanese group Hezbollah, which will cover its entire military wing, the government said on Wednesday.
- Agencies
- Published: 16:06 July 2, 2008
London: Britain is issuing an amendment on a ban on Lebanese group Hezbollah, which will cover its entire military wing, the government said on Wednesday.
Under the new ban, the groups entire military section will be outlawed in Britain. The ban, which is subject to parliamentary approval, replaces an existing law on Hezbollah's "external security organisation".
"This means that it will be a criminal offence to belong to, fundraise and encourage support for the military wing of the organisation," Britain's home office said in a statement.
However, the group's political, social and humanitarian activities would remain unaffected.
"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," it 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."
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