Posted on 05/01/2004 10:22:38 PM PDT by yonif
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States, acknowledging that Lebanon harbors groups deemed as terrorists, has refused to designate the Arab League state a terrorist sponsor.
A State Department report said Lebanon harbors such organizations as Hizbullah as well as Palestinian groups on the U.S. terrorism list. But the report cited limited Lebanese government cooperation with the United States in the war against Al Qaida.
"The Lebanese government recognizes as legitimate resistance groups those organizations that target Israel and permits them to maintain offices in Beirut," the report said. "Beirut goes further by exempting what it terms 'legal resistance' groups -- including Hizbullah -- from money-laundering and terrorism-financing laws."
The report cited the use of Lebanon as a training ground for Hizbullah as well as Iranian and Syrian support for groups deemed as terrorists. The State Department said Lebanese security forces remain "unable or unwilling" to enter Palestinian refugee camps -- where Al Qaida agents operate -- as well as Hizbullah strongholds in southern Beirut and the Bekaa Valley.
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