Iran said on Monday its ambassador to Lebanon would remain in his post in Beirut, defying the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, which has declared him persona non grata and told him to leave.
With war raging in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel, the Iranian envoy’s status has emerged as a focal point of tension between the Iran-backed group and the Lebanese government, which has been heavily critical of Hezbollah for entering the regional war in support of Tehran and called for talks with Israel.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry last week said it had decided to withdraw accreditation for the ambassador-designate, Mohammad Reza Shibani, and asked him to leave by March 29. The ministry said at the time that Shibani had violated diplomatic convention by making statements about Lebanese internal politics.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a powerful Shi’ite Muslim politician and Hezbollah ally, opposed the Foreign Ministry’s decision and has asked Shibani to remain, sources familiar with Berri’s position said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking at a news conference, said Shibani would stay in Beirut.
“Considering the discussions raised by the relevant Lebanese parties and the conclusions reached, the Iranian ambassador will continue his work as ambassador in Beirut and is still present there,” Baghaei said.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has issued no statement on the matter since the deadline passed, and didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.