Hezbollah's influence on Lebanon limited to role in parliament, gov't: president

BEIRUT, March 7 (Xinhua) -- President Michel Aoun said Thursday that Hezbollah has an impact on Lebanese politics because it is represented in the Parliament and the government, Lebanon's Presidency website reported.

"Hezbollah's expansion in the region does not mean that its influence on the Lebanese politics goes beyond its representation in the government and the Parliament while also being part of the Lebanese population," Aoun said during his meeting with Alistair Burt, British minister of state for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Aoun's remarks come following a decision by the British Parliament to pass new rules classifying Hezbollah as a terrorist group because it says it is no longer able to distinguish between the group's military and political wings.

Meanwhile, Burt said that the relations between Lebanon and Britain will not be affected negatively by the British Parliament's latest announcement.

Burt added that his country is keen on bolstering its ties with Lebanon on all levels.