Tasnim � Hezbollah�s second-in-command Sheikh Naim Qassem condemned a recent move by the British government to list the Lebanese movement as a terror group, saying that London, itself, is a sponsor of terrorism.

�Britain, itself, is one of the backers of terrorism and a member of alliances that invade regional nations,� Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a speech in the Lebanese city of Baalbek on Friday.

The British government is not entitled to determine who should be listed as terrorist, the Hezbollah official added.

Britain�s move to include Hezbollah on the terrorism list, which is condemned, indicates that the country is seeking to revive �its dark history of colonialism�, he went on to say.

Earlier this week, the UK proscribed the Lebanese Shiite group�s political wing as a terrorist organization, after previously distinguishing it from its military branch.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the decision was motivated by �servile obedience to the US administration,� and said that �the British government is but a mere follower in service of its American master."

"The British government has insulted the sentiments and the will of the Lebanese people by adopting this decision,� it added.