Reply #5: Bush Suggests Hezbollah Could Be Part of Political Mainstream in Lebanon [View All]

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBVWK2FC6E.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Tuesday left open the possibility that the militant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah could be part of the political mainstream in Lebanon despite its terrorist past.

"We view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization," Bush said after an Oval Office meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah. "I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they are not by laying down arms and not threatening peace."

Hezbollah has been involved in Lebanese politics for over a decade, with an extensive social welfare program and nine lawmakers in the current 128-seat parliament. But it has steered away from major decision-making in national politics as its guerrilla army - the most organized and best-armed faction in Lebanon - focused on fighting Israel. Lebanon considers Hezbollah a legitimate resistance movement that led the guerrilla war against Israel's 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.

Lately, Hezbollah has been flexing its political muscle by organization two huge pro-Syrian rallies.

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