Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora commented on the Arab League's removal of Hezbollah's designation as a terrorist organization. In press statements, Siniora stated that there should be a halt to giving free gifts to the party. He asserted that time would prove the Arab League's decision regarding Hezbollah was incorrect. Siniora noted that Lebanon is suffering from an economic crisis and a Syrian displacement crisis, as well as losing its Arab support, and that the country cannot engage in war, which does not mean it does not stand by the Palestinian cause.
Earlier on Saturday, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, announced following his visit to Beirut that "the League no longer classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization." Zaki explained that "previous decisions of the League described Hezbollah as terrorist, leading to a severance of communication with them." He indicated that "member states agreed not to use this terminology, allowing for potential communication with the party." He confirmed that "the Arab League does not have official terrorist lists, and its efforts do not include classifying entities as terrorist organizations." The Arab League had designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in March 2016, demanding that it "cease spreading extremism and sectarianism, intervene in the internal affairs of states, and provide any support for terrorism and terrorists in its regional surroundings."
