RIYADH: A Saudi led bloc of six Gulf Arab countries declared Lebanese militant group Hizbullah, a terrorist organization over its hostile acts and fighting on the side of President Bashar Assad in Syria.
GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani claimed the act was taken due to Hezbollah’s hostile acts within the member states.
He claimed that Hezbollah is recruiting militants within the member states to carry out terrorist acts like smuggling weapons and explosives, incitement to sow disorder and violence.
He said “These activities are incompatible with the values and moral and humanitarian principles and international law.”
The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
Saudi Arabia recently announced to cut $4 billion aid to Lebanese security forces.
US and EU have already announced Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
The move came after the speech of Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in which he criticized Saudi Arabia for severe measures against Lebanon.
He said “Who gives Saudi Arabia the right to punish Lebanon and its army and Lebanese people living in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf just because Hezbollah is speaking out? We urge Riyadh to settle accounts with Hezbollah and not against all the Lebanese.”