Hezbollah should be put on trial, Syrian opposition says

 Leaders of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah should be put on trial for their role in the Syrian war, the Syrian opposition said on Tuesday, according to AFP.

The remarks came as the Syrian coalition welcomed the EU decision to blacklist Hezbollah's military wing, Al Arabiya Satellite channel reported.

The "National Coalition believes this is a step in the right direction and highlights the need for the European Union to take measures to stop (Hezbollah's) militia from intervening in Syria," the opposition group said, according to AFP.

Backed by Iran, Hezbollah's fighters are fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

The National Coalition called for "Hezbollah officials to be brought to justice for the terrorist crimes they committed on Syrian soil".

"The free world must take preventive measures against Hezbollah's leaders, members and supporters, who participated in the spilling of Syrian blood," said the Coalition, describing Hezbollah's involvement in Syria as going "against the aspirations for freedom and dignity of the Syrian people".

Last month, the former rebel bastion of Qusayr in central Syria was reclaimed by Hezbollah fighters and Assad's troops after a fierce fight with rebels.

In relevant context, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the move "will have a significant impact on Hezbollah's ability to operate freely in Europe by enabling European law enforcement agencies to crack down on Hezbollah's fundraising, logistical activity and terrorist plotting," according to CNN.

"As Hezbollah has deepened its support for the brutal Assad regime and worked to expand its global reach through increased involvement in international criminal schemes and terrorist plots around the world, a growing number of governments are recognizing Hezbollah as the dangerous and destabilizing terrorist organization that it is," Kerry said.

"We call on other governments to follow the EU's lead and to take steps to begin reining in Hezbollah's terrorist and criminal activities."

White House spokesman Jay Carney cited Hezbollah's support for the al-Assad regime in Syria.

"The United States is proud to stand with the European Union on this front," Carney said.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the agreement sends "a clear message" that the European Union "stands united against terrorism."

"It shows that no organization can carry out terrorist acts on European soil, such as the appalling attack in Bulgaria one year ago, without facing the consequences. European nations have rightly come together in response," he said.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton noted that the European Union published a document reiterating "the long-held position that bilateral agreements with Israel do not cover the territory that came under Israel's administration in June 1967."

The move prompted criticism out of Israel and from some U.S. lawmakers, who called it "counterproductive."

She said the "specific provisions" of the guidelines covering Israel-EU "funding instruments" won't be implemented before January 1.

"This is meant to clarify the EU's position in advance of negotiations of agreements with Israel during the forthcoming financial perspective commencing in 2014. In no way will this prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. It has been the EU's long-held position that it will recognize changes made to the borders once agreed," Ashton said.

She said the European Union is "deeply committed" to peace negotiations.

Hezbollah has been a staunch opponent of Israel. The Jewish state and Hezbollah also fought a war in 2006 after the military group kidnapped and killed Israeli soldiers.