World Bulletin / News Desk 

Lebanese group Hezbollah has welcomed an Egyptian government decision to appeal a court ruling labeling Palestinian faction Hamas a "terrorist" group.

"We welcome this positive move by the Egyptian government. We believe this move reflects the status and history of Egypt and the Egyptian people," Hezbollah said in a Thursday statement.

Hezbollah described Hamas as a resistance movement that opposes the "Zionist occupation."

"Any effort that aims to bolster relations between Hamas and Egypt is welcome," Hezbollah said.

On Wednesday, Egypt's State Lawsuits Authority, the government's legal arm, filed the motion with Cairo's Court for Urgent Matters, which set March 28 to begin hearing the appeal.

Late last month, the same court designated Hamas a "terrorist" group over claims it had carried out attacks in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

One year earlier, the same court outlawed Hamas' activities in Egypt and seized the group's Cairo offices.

And last month, an Egyptian court likewise declared the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, a "terrorist" organization.