Skip to main content

Does Hezbollah Seek Cold Peace With EU?

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is working to contain the fallout from the EU decision.
Angelina Eichhorst, head of EU delegation in Lebanon, meets with Ammar Moussawi, Hezbollah's international relations official in Beirut's southern suburbs July 25, 2013. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday the European Union had given Israel justification to attack Lebanon by blacklisting the armed wing of his group, and would bear responsibility for any Israeli military action. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11YHU

The "live and let live" doctrine seems to be ruling relations between Hezbollah and Europe. Less than 48 hours after listing the group's "military wing" on the EU terror list, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst visited Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburb and met the group's international-relations officer, Ammar Mousawi. According to well-informed sources, the meeting was "cold" and was held mainly to discuss the EU decision. 

"Everyone knows that Hezbollah's political and military wings are the same,” Mousawi told Eichhorst, and added, "Blacklisting the party is an insult to all Lebanese, Arab and Islamic people who believe in resistance.” Eichhorst responded to Mousawi by stressing that the EU's decision is a political message to Hezbollah's military wing, adding, "Blacklisting the party should not justify any retaliation by a foreign country, including Israel, against Lebanon."

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.