Report: European Summit Could Blacklist Hizbullah as Terrorist Group

A European summit slated for February will look into the possibility of blacklisting Hizbullah as a terrorist group on the pretext of involvement in last year's bus bombing that targeted Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, the pan Arab al-Hayat daily said Saturday.

An unnamed source, according to the daily, said that France opposes blacklisting Hizbullah as it believes “the time was not right to destabilize Lebanon.”

“There is controversy in France on the issue of whether to respond to the request of some European countries, including Britain, to blacklist Hizbullah as a terrorist group, “ the source said.

“The opinion prevailing in France is that is keen not to destabilize Lebanon unless evidence proves its involvement,”said the source.

A deadly explosion, in July 2012, on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in a parking lot outside an airport in Bulgaria claimed the lives of seven Israelis and wounded dozens.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas for attacks against Israeli targets overseas.

Last week Bulgaria informed European officials of evidence collected by authorities indicating Hizbullah's involvement in the July 18 attack, said reports.