EU weighs sanctions against military wing of Hezbollah

{{European Union governments could decide to blacklist the military wing of Hezbollah on Monday, in a major policy reversal fuelled by concerns over the Lebanese militant movement’s activities in Europe.}}

Britain has sought to persuade its EU peers since May to put the Shi’ite Muslim group’s military wing on the bloc’s terrorism list, citing evidence that it was behind a deadly bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.

Until now, the EU has resisted pressure from Washington and Israel to blacklist Hezbollah, arguing that it could fuel instability in Lebanon, where the group is part of the government, and add to tensions in the Middle East.

Diplomats say the opposition to such a move is fading.

“There are still reservations, but we are moving towards what could be a decision on the possible listing,” a senior EU official said.

“The number of member states which have difficulties with a possible decision has been slowly diminishing.”

EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue on Monday in Brussels.

Blacklisting the military wing would mean the freezing of any assets it may hold in the 28-nation bloc, though officials say there is scant information on the extent of Hezbollah’s presence in Europe or on its assets.

Britain, backed by France and the Netherlands among others, has argued that Hezbollah’s growing involvement in the Syrian war means Lebanon is already in a fragile situation and that the EU must weigh the possibility of future attacks in Europe.

{Agencies}