Kuwait deports Iraqi, Lebanese residents over Hezbollah ties

Kuwaiti authorities have deported 11 Lebanese nationals and three Iraqis for alleged links with Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia movement classified by Gulf monarchies as a "terrorist" group, a local newspaper said on Monday.

The 14 were recently expelled at the request of Kuwaiti security services after they were found to belong to Hezbollah, daily al-Qabas reported, without providing further details.

The newspaper quoted a security official saying that security services had prepared a new list of additional Lebanese and Iraqi citizens, some in top corporate positions, "who are unwelcome and should be deported" from Kuwait.

Those deported from Kuwait will also be forbidden from entering the five other GCC states – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - the official said. 

The deportations come amid an increasing crackdown by the Arab Gulf states on foreign citizens with alleged links to Hezbollah, which is backed by regional foe Iran.

The Arab League declared Hezbollah a "terrorist" group on 11 March after Gulf monarchies did the same earlier in the month.

The condemnation was related to the movement's support for President Bashar al-Assad's government in the Syrian war.

Last week, Bahrain deported an unspecified number of Lebanese residents over alleged links to Hezbollah, and Saudi Arabia warned that it will punish citizens and residents who "support or demonstrate belonging" to the group.

Riyadh last month said it had halted a $3bn programme for military aid to Beirut in protest against Hezbollah, which is a key political force in Lebanon and has lawmakers in its parliament.