Lebanon says Iranian ambassador's continued presence defies expulsion order
Lebanon's foreign minister says the Iranian ambassador's stay in Beirut violates a binding state decision declaring him persona non grata.
Key Takeaways
AILebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has stated that the continued presence of Iran's appointed ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, after being declared persona non grata, is in direct conflict with a clear and final sovereign decision issued by the Lebanese state and must be enforced.
Raji explained in remarks on Monday that the Iranian ambassador's visa expires on August 24, stressing that Sheibani's remaining on Lebanese soil after the rejection of his credentials and his designation as persona non grata constitutes a violation of the state's sovereign decision.
He added that the decision is final and binding, and cannot be subject to any settlement or negotiation under any pretext, noting that the matter "allows for no interpretation or ambiguity."
In the same context, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Sheibani's continued diplomatic presence contradicts Beirut's previous decision, stripping him of any legal grounds to remain in Lebanon, regardless of any prior visa or residency permit.