Mashnouq: We Understand Saudi Arabia's Purpose to Label Some Groups as Terrorist

Interior Miniser Nouhad al-Mashnouq stated on Tuesday that Lebanon has taken a “clear position” on all forms of extremist terrorism.

He added in statement: “We understand Saudi Arabia's recent designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah in the kingdom, and al-Nusra Front as terrorist.”

The minister is currently in Morocco to take part in the 31st conference for Arab interior ministers.

“Lebanon has long suffered from terrorism and understands Saudi Arabia's purpose for designating the groups as terrorist,” remarked Mashnouq.

“There can be no leniency in confronting terrorism that is a threat to the future of all Arab countries,” he stressed.

Granting political freedom for peaceful organizations to function under the authority of the state will allow a country to confront division, he explained.

Saudi Arabia on Friday listed as terrorist groups the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Nusra Front, which is Al-Qaida's official Syrian affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Shiite Huthi rebels fighting in northern Yemen, and "Hezbollah inside the kingdom", apparently referring to a little-known Saudi Shiite group.

The decision to brand the Brotherhood a terrorist group came a day after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recalled their ambassadors from Qatar, which backs Brotherhood-linked groups across the region.