Written question asked by Louise Ellman (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 March 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Hezbollah

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of links between the political and military wings of Hezbollah.

Answer: In July 2008, the military wing of Hezbollah, including the Jihad Council and all units reporting to it (including the Hezbollah External Security Organisation) was added to schedule 2 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (the proscribed list). Prior to that, only the External Security Organisation of Hezbollah was proscribed. The amendment to schedule 2 followed a thorough review of Hezbollah and the extent to which various parts of the organisation are concerned in terrorism. The review concluded that a distinction could be drawn between those parts of Hezbollah which are legitimately involved in Lebanese politics and those which are directly concerned in terrorism, and the new entry in schedule 2 to the Terrorism Act 2000 reflects that distinction.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c1318-9W;490 c1314-5W; 268155
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Hezbollah
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Hezbollah
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk