Hizbullah Denies Training Bahrainis, Says Providing Only Political Support to Opposition

Hizbullah denied on Thursday that it had trained Bahraini Shiite activists, saying it was only providing moral and political support to the opposition in the kingdom.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad al-Khalifa said Wednesday that Shiite Bahrainis who have participated in the protests against the government “were trained in Lebanon.”

“We cannot remain silent to the training accusation and the attempt to give events in Bahrain a military and security twist,” said a statement issued by Hizbullah.

The Shiite group denied that the opposition in Bahrain had asked “for any military or security training.” It stressed that there were no Hizbullah officials or members in the kingdom.

“Our support is political and moral similar to the Arab revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen,” the statement said.

It reiterated its rejection of “suppression” in Bahrain and urged the government to meet what it said were the legitimate demands of the people.