Lebanon declared the Iranian ambassador as a persona non grata
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced the revocation of the acceptance of the Iranian ambassador, giving him a deadline of a few days to leave the country
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it has withdrawn its approval of the credentials of Mohammad Reza Sheibani, the appointed ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut, and declared him persona non grata
This ministry announced on Tuesday, March 24, that the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Lebanon was summoned and this decision was communicated to him
According to this decision, Mohammad Reza Sheibani must leave Lebanese territory by March 29 at the latest
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry also announced that it has summoned Ahmad Sweidan, its ambassador to Iran, for consultations, citing Tehran’s violation of norms and principles governing diplomatic relations as the reason for this action
As of the publication of this report, officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have not given an official reaction to this decision
Mohammad Reza Sheibani is considered one of Iran’s experienced diplomats in the Middle East and has previously held responsibilities including ambassadorships in Lebanon and Syria, as well as the deputy of the Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs