The Arab League has removed the Shiite party Hezbollah from its list of terrorist organizations. This decision was announced by Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki during a meeting in Beirut with Mohammed Raad, head of the Fidelity to the Resistance parliamentary faction, according to Al-Akhbar newspaper.
"The League decided to remove Hezbollah's status as a terrorist group because the party plays an important role in Lebanon's current politics and future," Zaki emphasized, as quoted by the newspaper.
This meeting between Zaki and Raad marks the first since 2016 when the League, driven by Saudi Arabia's initiative, classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. "Hezbollah has been accused of being a conduit for Iranian influence in the Middle East and interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Gulf Arab states."
Speaking to reporters in Beirut, Zaki stated that his visit aimed to express the regional community's solidarity with Lebanon and its people on behalf of Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abu al-Gheit. "The military escalation in the south poses a serious challenge to security and stability not only in Lebanon but also in the entire Middle East, especially if the conflict widens," Zaki noted.
He stressed the importance of all parties adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to contain the situation. The diplomat urged the international community to work towards ending the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which he believes will help halt the confrontation in southern Lebanon.
Additionally, the Assistant Secretary General called on Lebanese politicians to prioritize national interests over personal ambitions and to elect a new president of the republic as soon as possible, a post that has been vacant for 19 months.
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Based on TASS materials