Gulf Cooperation Council: We Consider Hezbollah, with All Its Leaders, Organizations, and Factions, a 'Terrorist Organization'

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, on Monday strongly condemned the statements issued by the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, which addressed the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, considering them unacceptable interference in the affairs of a member state of the Council.

Al-Budaiwi said in a statement, "These statements are irresponsible and affect the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain," pointing to "the proven involvement of elements linked to those parties in acts of collusion with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps aimed at carrying out terrorist and hostile acts inside Bahrain."

The Secretary-General affirmed that the GCC states "consider the Hezbollah militias, with all their leaders, factions, and organizations, a terrorist organization," according to the Council's resolution issued in 2016, due to what he described as "hostile activities including recruiting youth, smuggling weapons and explosives, inciting sedition, and inciting violence."

Al-Budaiwi stressed the GCC's rejection of "all practices that threaten the security and stability of the Lebanese Republic," warning that "attempts to keep Lebanon in a state of chaos and division will not be acceptable regionally or internationally."

He concluded by affirming the GCC's support for reform steps in Lebanon, saying the Council "supports the efforts led by President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese government headed by Nawaf Salam," calling on various Lebanese political forces to "rally around the state and support the reform path to achieve stability and prosperity for the Lebanese people."