Lebanon designated the Iranian ambassador as persona non grata on March 24th, citing diplomatic violations, but the ambassador is defying the expulsion order.
Lebanese Expulsion Order and Iranian Response
Lebanon has declared Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Szeibani persona non grata, but he has refused to leave the country despite a directive from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry.
According to diplomatic sources cited by AFP, Szeibani will remain in Lebanon, acting on the wishes of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah.
Reasons for the Expulsion
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced its decision on March 24th, stating it was due to “violations of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two countries.”
Beirut accuses the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of involving Lebanon in the wider Middle Eastern conflict by directing the operations of Hezbollah, a Tehran-aligned Shia militant group.
Escalation of Regional Tensions
Following an alleged Israeli-American attack on Iran and the subsequent outbreak of conflict, Hezbollah began shelling Israel. This prompted Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, with Israel claiming insufficient efforts to remove Hezbollah from the area.
Israel has also announced plans to create an expanded buffer zone in southern Lebanon to hinder Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks on northern Israel.
Hezbollah’s Reaction and Government Boycott
Hezbollah has appealed to Lebanese authorities to reverse the expulsion decision. In protest, four Shia ministers – two representing Hezbollah and two representing its ally, the Amal movement – boycotted a government meeting on Thursday.
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