Hezbollah chief says EU succumbed to US, Israeli pressure by blacklisting group

July 24, 2013 at 6:56PM

BEIRUT — The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah has accused European countries of capitulating to U.S. and Israeli pressure by blacklisting the group.

The European Union's 28 foreign ministers placed Hezbollah's military wing on the bloc's terror list Monday after prolonged diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and Israel, both which consider the group a terrorist organization.

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah described the EU decision as "worthless" and said it makes EU countries partners in any future Israeli aggression against Lebanon or the group.

Nasrallah spoke Wednesday to supporters via satellite link.

He said his militant group will not be subdued by the EU decision and said European countries will only reap "failure and disappointment."

Hezbollah has an arsenal that rivals Lebanon's army and plays a dominant role, with its allies, in the country's politics.

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