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    UK to ban Hezbollah as terrorist group

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    The UK Parliament is set to pass rules classifying Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

    Parts of the Lebanese organisation have been proscribed since 2001, with its military wing banned since 2008.

    UK authorities say they are no longer able to distinguish between the group's military and political wings.

    The changes are expected to take from Friday, after which supporting Hezbollah will be an offence carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

    Hezbollah – translated as the Party of God – is a Shia Islamist political, military and social organisation that wields considerable power in Lebanon.

    Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he had decided to proscribe the group in its entirety because Hezbollah was “continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East”.

    The group, which is backed by , has sent thousands of its fighters to to support forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in battles against predominantly Sunni Muslim rebel forces and the jihadist Islamic State group.

    Last month, Hezbollah was awarded three cabinet posts in the newly-formed Lebanese cabinet after it made gains, alongside its allies, in the 2018 parliamentary elections.

    ‘A clear signal'

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt echoed Mr Javid's comments, adding that the government could not be complacent about terrorism.

    “It is clear the distinction between Hezbollah's military and political wings does not exist, and by proscribing…

    Continue Reading This Article At BBC News

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