A Saudi delegation withdrew from an Arab League meeting on Friday, after Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari praised Hezbollah, refusing to consider the Lebanese resistance movement a terrorist group.

A Saudi delegation withdrew from an Arab League meeting on Friday, after Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari praised Hezbollah, refusing to consider the Lebanese resistance movement a terrorist group.

Iraqi media reported that Jaafari defended Hezbollah and Iraqi Popular Mobilization forces (PMF) who are fighting against Takfiri group, ISIL (so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant).

“PMF and Hezbollah preserved the dignity of the Arabs and whoever accuses them of terrorism they are themselves terrorists.”

The Iraqi FM rejected attempts to distort the image of Hezbollah, saying that the party's Secretary-General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah "is an Arab hero.

Following Jaafari’s remarks, the Saudi delegation walked out of the meeting, al-Iraqiyyah TV quoted an official at the foreign ministry as saying.