British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell told a legislative committee Wednesday that the government is reversing its stand towards Hizbullah and has “explored contacts” with the intent of separating its political and terrorist arms. He cited recent events in Lebanon as “positive.”
Hizbullah has won vet power over major government cabinet decisions and is gearing up for elections scheduled in three months. The military arm of Hizbullah is on Britain’s list of outlawed organizations, and Rammell said contacts are limited to Hizbullah’s political leaders.
Britain has had no official contacts with Hizbullah since 2005, but its ambassador to Lebanon has spoken with at least one member of the terrorist group’s political arm since the group joined the Lebanese coalition government last June.
British ministers added that the possible contacts with Hizbullah do not mean that a similar policy change would affect the current ban on meeting with Hamas leaders.
British Foreign Office officials explained that contact with Hizbullah in Lebanon is difficult to avoid because of its status in the coalition. Rammell said that Hamas is a potential diplomatic contact but only on condition that it recognizes Israel and rejects violence.