Saudi hails ‘constructive’ UK decision on Hezbollah

RIYADH

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed a British decision to classify Lebanese group Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization", describing the move as “constructive”.

Last week, Britain’s parliament voted to officially add Iran-backed Hezbollah to a list of terrorist organizations.

According to the decision, the membership in -- or support for -- the group will be considered a criminal offense in the U.K., carrying sentences of up to ten years in prison.

“The move is important and constructive in counter-terrorism efforts in the world,” the official SPA news agency quoted a Saudi Foreign Ministry official as saying.

“The UK step comes in line with a previous decision taken by Saudi Arabia against the terrorist group [Hezbollah] in both military and political branches,” the official said.

Early in 2016, Riyadh officially placed Hezbollah on its terror list.

Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran are regional arch-foes.