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Netanyahu: Hezbollah Planning 'Global Terror Attacks'

BBC

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

World leaders should declare Hezbollah a terrorist entity, Israel's leader has said, hours after Bulgaria blamed the Lebanese group for a deadly bus bomb.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah had built a "worldwide terrorist" network and was planning attacks in two dozen countries.

He spoke after Bulgaria said militants linked to the Shia group carried out the July 2012 Burgas bombing.

Five Israeli tourists and a bus driver died in the Black Sea resort attack, reports the BBC.

Israeli quickly blamed Hezbollah - and Iran - for the bombing, which also saw some 30 people injured.

Meanwhile, Canada has said a dual Canadian-Lebanese national was involved in the bombing and is believed to be still at large.

Iran has steadfastly denied any involvement, while Hezbollah has made no comment.

News of Bulgaria's investigation brought a swift response from Netanyahu.

"This is further corroboration of what we also know, that Iran and Hezbollah have built a worldwide terrorist network.

"I believe that what is required right now... is to call it like it is.

"It's time to name Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, to take action against it."

His remarks followed an earlier statement in which he said only that European leaders should "reach the required conclusions".

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said there was a "need for reflection" over the Bulgaria bomb inquiry.

The EU and member states would "discuss the appropriate response", her office said in a statement.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack and said his country was "ready to co-operate" with Bulgaria, reports said.

In Washington, US counter-terrorism chief John Brennan said the group posed "a real and growing threat not only to Europe, but to the rest of the world".

Europe and the world should seek "to disrupt the group's financing schemes and operational networks in order to prevent future attacks", he added.

State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US feared Hezbollah had "exploited" European rules to avoid a recent US "squeeze" on its banking facilities.