On 9 January 2009 our ambassador in Beirut accompanied a group of British parliamentarians to a meeting with the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Committee that included the Hezbollah MP, Ali Amaar.
The UK had contacts with some political officials in Hezbollah from 2001 to 2005 but no contacts with Hezbollah's military wing. Although previous discussions had been frank, they became increasingly insubstantial. The political contacts ended in 2005 as we judged that the conditions at the time, specifically the political stalemate of the Lebanese Government, meant that the talks were not productive enough to be worth continuing.
In July 2008 the decision was made by the Home Office to proscribe the military wing, which we specified as the Jihad Council and all units reporting to it. During this process a thorough assessment of all the components of Hezbollah was carried out to establish this distinction.
In July 2008 the decision was made by the Home Office to proscribe the military wing, which we specified as the Jihad Council and all units reporting to it. During this process a thorough assessment of all the components of Hezbollah was carried out to establish this distinction between those members of Hezbollah who are legitimately involved in Lebanese politics and those who are involved in violence and support terrorism. We will not have contacts with individuals whom we assess to be involved in violence.