Arab League's Zaki says Hezbollah not viewed as terrorist since May 2023

Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki, who had said during a visit to Beirut that the Arab League no longer views Hezbollah as a terrorist group, said Monday that the policy shift took place in May 2023.

During a Jeddah summit in May last year, a resolution describing Hezbollah as a terrorist group was amended, Zaki told local al-Jadeed TV station.

"Since Hezbollah is no longer considered a terrorist group, there's no reason anymore to not meet", Zaki explained.

Zaki had met with head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad during a visit last week to Beirut. He also met with caretaker PM Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, FPM leader Jebran Bassil, Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel and Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.

"My visit to Lebanon was to show solidarity as there are fears that the war in the south could spread to the entire country," Zaki said, adding that he also discussed during his visit the presidential crisis.