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France Seeking to Add Hizbullah Military Wing to EU Terror List

France is to call for the military arm of Hizbullah to be added to an EU terror blacklist due to its backing of the Syrian regime, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday.

"Because of the decisions that have been taken by Hizbullah and the fact that they are fighting very harshly the Syrian population, we have decided to ask that the military branch of the Hizbullah would be considered as a terrorist organization," Fabius told reporters in English.

The United States has long designated the group, which is backed by Iran, as a terrorist organization and has been pressing its European allies to follow suit.

"Many of us European countries are on this line and my guess is that it will be a decision that will be taken by Europe," Fabius said, leaving a meeting of the Friends of Syria in Amman.

Hizbullah fighters have been pouring across the border from Lebanon to bolster regime forces battling to retake the rebel stronghold of Qusayr.

A source close to Hizbullah told Agence France Presse it "has sent new elite troops to Qusayr".

And Hizbullah's al-Manar television channel broadcast images of funerals for five fighters it said had been killed carrying out their "jihadist duty.”

Source: Agence France Presse


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