Alwaght- Earlier this month, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council labelled Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance group, a terrorist organization. This Saudi-led decision has prompted reactions from both supporters and opponents of Hezbollah.
Iran
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi dubbed the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s decision to classify Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement as a terrorist organization a strategic mistake.
“No doubt the measure has been taken under orders from the Zionists and archenemies of dear Islam and the Great Prophet (PBUH),” he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed the Islamic Republic’s pride in the resistance.
“Lebanon’s Hezbollah is the vanguard of resistance against the Zionist regime (Israel) and Iran is proud of the group,” Iranian state TV quoted Abdollahian.
For his part, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed Hezbollah as the only organization that defends Lebanon’s territorial integrity against the Zionist regime of Israel. Zarif branded the PGCC’s move as invalid.
Lebanon
Head of the Lebanese Marada movement Sleiman Frangieh deplored the designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
“We regret that it (the resistance has been stoned…in a manner that pleases our only enemy Israel,” the presidential candidate tweeted.
Even Future Movement member and Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk refused to agree with the decision at the 33rd conference of the Arab Interior Ministers Council in Tunisia.
Algeria
Algeria has also taken a clear stance as it refused to jump on the bandwagon. Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said on Thursday that Hezbollah is a “political military movement which is an active element in the Lebanese internal political scene.”
Lamamra said: “We renew that we do not interfere in countries’ domestic affairs. We believe that this principle is sufficient to put the right vision to everyone concerning the situation in Lebanon.”
Syria
Damascus has again acknowledged Hezbollah’s role in fighting terrorist groups such as ISIS and al-Nusrae Front.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry criticized the PGCC labelling blaming Riyadh for the decision.
"Syria strongly condemns the decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council to consider the Hezbollah party a terrorist one, which is a reflection of the misguided policies of Saudi Arabia," the statement read.
Iraq
The head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, told Press TV that branding Hezbollah as a terrorist group was a response to recent victories against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
“These states and the ruling families have been sponsoring terrorism. They are sponsoring the remnants of the former Baath regime. They have established al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Daesh and have been funding and supporting these groups for decades,” he added.
Palestine
The Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad has joined the chorus of condemnations saying the escalation only adds fuel to the fire.
In a statement, the movement said: “Despite the deep polarization and conflicts in the region, Hezbollah’s history in the conflict with the Zionist enemy ` and its support for the Palestinian cause and Palestinian resistance makes us doubt any Arab side, no matter the dispute, that agrees with the Israeli stance by classifying Hezbollah as a ‘terrorist organization.’”
Yemen
In its political council statement, Yemen’s Houthis said the decision is “reckless and serves the interests of the angry Zionist entity and its tools in the region.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the Israeli regime welcomed the PGCC’s move.
Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni praised the resolution as "an important step”, while Israeli daily Maariv stated that "blacklisting Hezbollah is an achievement that serves Israel."
Washington, for its part, said the move will not lead to a new conflict in the region as it has taken a similar step a few years ago.
