Britain Weighs Talks with Hizbullah

"We have reconsidered the position...in light of more positive developments within Lebanon," Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell told a parliamentary committee. "For that reason we have explored establishing contacts."

He said he was referring to the formation in July last year of a unity government in which Hizbullah and its allies hold effective veto power, as agreed under a deal that ended a paralyzing political conflict in the country.

"A Foreign Office spokesman said the British government was exploring contacts only with Hizbullah's political wing.

Hizbullah comprises guerrilla fighters, members of parliament, social, medical and reconstruction. It is highly centralized and all members undergo military training.

Rammell said a delegation of British opposition Conservative legislators held talks recently with a Lebanese parliamentary committee that included one Hizbullah member.
The spokesman said the British ambassador to Lebanon was present at that meeting.