Lebanon Expels Iranian Ambassador and Summons Its Ambassador in Tehran for Consultations
On Tuesday, March 24, Lebanese authorities announced their decision to declare Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani in Beirut as persona non grata, granting him a deadline until the upcoming Sunday to leave the country.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in Beirut, Tawfik Samadi Khushkhu, has been summoned and informed about the decision to withdraw the approval of the Iranian ambassador. This move reflects an unprecedented diplomatic tension between the two countries.
The same source added that the decision mandates the Iranian ambassador to leave Lebanese territory within the specified timeframe, without providing additional details regarding the reasons for this escalation.
In a related context, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced the summoning of Lebanon’s ambassador to Iran for consultations, citing what it deemed a “violation of diplomatic norms and protocols” between the two countries, referring to developments concerning bilateral relations.
