BAGHDAD - An Iraq-based Shi'ite insurgent group rejoiced at the U.S. government's decision to designate it a foreign terror organisation, calling it a point of pride, a U.S. militant monitor said Monday.

Just days after Kata'ib Hizballah was designated a foreign terror group by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, the group posted a triumphant message on a Shi'ite jihadist forum praising the move, according to SITE Intelligence.

"It is an invitation to pride that the children of Hezbollah Brigade be put on the list that frightens the occupation, chases them and plants terror in their hearts," SITE described the message as saying.

"Classifying us on the American terror list means that we are still marching on the right path," it said.

The designation for the group, which the United States believes is linked to Lebanon's Hezbollah, means the Iraq-based militant group's assets will be frozen and Americans will be prohibited from providing it with any resources.

Washington blames the group for numerous bomb and other attacks in Iraq, including a November 2008 rocket attack that killed two United Nations workers.

--REUTERS