Arab League shocks with removal of Hezbollah from terrorist designation

On Saturday, Hossam Zaki, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League, announced that the League no longer classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. This declaration was made during a televised interview on the news channel al-Qahera.

The diplomat explained that the member states of the League decided to remove Hezbollah's terrorist designation to resume dialogue with the party, which has been suspended since March 2016. The Arab League's decision is particularly shocking given that Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union.

Hezbollah, a Shia militant group with strong ties to Iran, has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is known for instilling fear in Lebanon. 

The group's activities extend beyond Lebanon's borders, impacting regional stability and security. The group's long-standing involvement in military actions and its persistent aggression towards Israel have further cemented its reputation as a terrorist organization in the eyes of many.

The decision to reclassify Hezbollah raises several questions. What kind of dialogue does the Arab League intend to initiate with Hezbollah? Hossam Zaki did not provide any details on the nature or objectives of the proposed dialogue. This lack of clarity only adds to the controversy surrounding the decision.

Critics argue that the Arab League would be better served by demanding that Hezbollah cease its attacks against Israel and end its military activities in Lebanon. 

Engaging in dialogue without addressing these fundamental issues may undermine efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.

The international community, particularly the United States and the European Union, is likely to react strongly to the Arab League's decision. 

Both have consistently classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and have imposed various sanctions to curtail its activities. The removal of this designation by the Arab League could complicate international efforts to combat terrorism and maintain regional security.