Iran slams blacklisting of Hezbollah military wing

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (2nd right), escorted by his bodyguards, greets his supporters at an anti-US protest in Beirut's southern suburbs, in this Sept 17, 2012 file photo. European Union governments agreed on July 22, 2013 to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on the EU terrorism blacklist in a reversal of past policy fuelled by concerns over the Lebanese militant movement's activities in Europe.[Photo/Agencies]

TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi denounced on Tuesday the EU's recent move to blacklist military wing of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group and political party, as a terrorist group.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Araqchi said " the EU's move was unprofessional and biased."

"We consider the decision by the EU a measure against the Lebanese people," said the spokesman, adding "Hezbollah is part of the political structure of Lebanon."

"We denounce this action and believe that such a decision will not affect the positions of Hezbollah (towards the regional developments), but will further complicate the situation in the Middle East," he stressed.

In April, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah acknowledged that his troops were assisting Syrian army in its fight against opposition fighters.

On Monday, the EU member states unanimously voted to blacklist military wing of Lebanon's Hezbollah, which had already been on the terrorist lists of the United States and Britain.

Hezbollah has enjoyed financial and military supports of Iran since its foundation in 1982 amid Lebanon's war with Israel.