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Intel: US praises Germany for expanding Hezbollah terrorist designation

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and pro-Israel lawmakers welcomed Germany’s decision this week to designate the entirety of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia-cum-political party, as a terrorist organization.
U.S.  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC2M0G9CRVU4

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and pro-Israel lawmakers welcomed Germany’s decision this week to designate the entirety of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia-cum-political party, as a terrorist organization. Previously, Germany had followed Europe’s lead in drawing a distinction between Hezbollah’s political and paramilitary wings.

“We commend Germany for banning Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and for taking strong action against suspected Hezbollah supporters,” Pompeo said in a statement Thursday. “With this action, Germany joins the growing ranks of nations that reject the false distinction between Hezbollah’s terrorist operations and a purported ‘political’ wing, including recent designations by Argentina, Colombia, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay and the United Kingdom.”

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