Britain tightens ban on Hezbollah to cover military wing

The British government said on Wednesday it was amending a ban on Hezbollah to cover its entire military wing and accused the Lebanese group of supporting terrorism in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.

The ban, which needs parliamentary approval, replaces one on Hezbollah's "external security organization". It will outlaw the group's entire military wing in Britain.

"This means that it will be a criminal offense to belong to, fundraise and encourage support for the military wing of the organization," the Home Office said in a statement.

The statement said the group's political, social and humanitarian activities would remain unaffected.

"Hezbollah's military wing is providing active support to militants in Iraq who are responsible for attacks both on coalition forces and on Iraqi civilians, including providing training in the use of deadly roadside bombs," it said.

"Hezbollah's military wing also provides support to Palestinian terrorist groups in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It is because of this support for terrorism in Iraq and Occupied Palestinian Territories that the government has taken this action."

The government said it continued to urge Hezbollah to abandon its status as an armed group and take part in Lebanese democracy on the same terms as other political parties.

	Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah (AP)