TAIPEI, Aug 8: Taiwan’s foreign minister James Huang visited the leader of the Hezbollah group in a controversial clandestine trip earlier this year, triggering concern from the United States and Israel, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

“Through the arrangement of friends, Minister Huang visited Hezbollah’s secretary-general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in April to promote ties,” foreign ministry spokesman Michel Lu said.

The trip touched off controversy here, with critics urging the ministry to be cautious in dealing with what Israel regards as a terrorist group.

Mr Lu confirmed reports that both the US and Israel had ‘voiced concerns’ about Mr Huang’s landmark visit to Lebanon.

“We told them it was a kind of courtesy call. After that, they have not approached us on the issue,” Mr Lu said.

In response to criticism, Mr Lu said some members of Lebanon’s cabinet are from Hezbollah. “Besides, the trip came before the eruption of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.”—AFP