Australia lists Hezbollah as ‘terrorist organisation’

Australia yesterday listed all of Hezbollah as a "terrorist organisation", extending an existing ban on armed units to the entire movement, which wields considerable power over Lebanon. Hezbollah defies easy definition -- acting as part political party, part armed group and part provider of basic services to Lebanon's Shiite community. No reason was given for the timing of Canberra's decision, which comes as Lebanon reels from spiralling political and economic crises. Nearly 80 percent of the Lebanese population is estimated to be living below the poverty line.