Brussels, Sept 11: The European Union today agreed to put the political wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on its blacklist of terrorist organisations, diplomatic sources said. The decision, which will lead to Hamas assets being frozen across the 15 members of the European Union, came during a meeting of EU ambassadors.

It is due to become official on Saturday when Hamas' name will be included on a revised blacklist in the EU's official journal, the sources added. Hamas has claimed two back-to-back attacks in Israel on Tuesday in which 15 Israelis died, sparking an angry retaliation from Israel with Israeli defence and security officials due to hold emergency talks today.

The precise details of the individuals and organisations close to Hamas which will figure on the EU's list were not yet known on Tuesday. EU ministers agreed the blacklisting on Saturday at informal talks on Italy's Lake Garda.

Bureau Report