Lebanese politicians have expressed hope that the UK decision to add the political wing of Lebanon's Hezbollah to its list of banned "terrorist" organizations, does not ignite discussions among cabinet members at a session scheduled for Thursday, on the party’s role.
Lebanon is divided between those supporting the role of Hezbollah in liberating occupied land from Israel, and a rival camp.
Ministerial sources said high-ranking officials have engaged in contacts to avoid a “flareup” in the government, which only recently received parliament’s vote of confidence after months of wrangling on cabinet portfolios.
The sources said the government would not make a stance on the British decision although differences among politicians began looming on the horizon.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri shrugged off the UK decision as only involving Britain and not Lebanon.
“What is important for us is that the relationship amongst us is not harmed, and I hope they see Lebanon as Lebanon and its people,” he said.
However, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil had a different position, saying “If the whole world stood and said that the resistance [Hezbollah] is a terrorist [group], this doesn’t make it a terrorist group for the Lebanese, and as long as the land is occupied, the resistance is going to be embraced by the state institutions and the people.”
A minister, who refused to be identified, said Bassil’s defense of Hezbollah and its military role would be objected by several parties that consider the FM’s comments as contradicting the British position.
A diplomatic source told Asharq al-Awsat that former British Ambassador to Lebanon Frances Mary Guy had established for the idea of differentiating between Hezbollah’s political and military wings.
Britain had already proscribed Hezbollah's external security unit and its military wing in 2001 and 2008 respectively, but has now outlawed its political arm.
