Hizbullah condemns Gulf states

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s armed Hizbullah movement on Thursday said a decision by Gulf States to designate it a terrorist organisation was "reckless and hostile".

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) took the step on Wednesday, opening up the possibility of further sanctions against Hizbullah, which wields broad political influence in Lebanon and is fighting in Syria for President Bashar al-Assad.

The group’s bloc in parliament said it held Saudi Arabia responsible for the GCC decision.

"The decision by the GCC is reckless and hostile and is condemned. The Saudi regime bears responsibility for its issuing and for the consequences," the bloc said after its weekly meeting.

The region’s main power, Iran, had already accused Gulf Arab states of jeopardising Lebanon’s stability by blacklisting Hizbullah, which Iran supports.