Lebanon says Iranian ambassador's continued presence defies expulsion order

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has declared that the presence of Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, is in violation of a binding state decision declaring him persona non grata. Raji stated that Sheibani's continued stay in Beirut, despite being dismissed from his post and his visa expiring on August 24, is a clear breach of the Lebanese state's sovereign decision.

The Iranian ambassador's visa expired on August 24, and Raji emphasized that Sheibani's continued presence on Lebanese soil after the rejection of his credentials and his designation as persona non grata constitutes a direct violation of the state's final and binding decision. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs further clarified that Sheibani's continued diplomatic presence contradicts Lebanon's previous decision to strip him of any legal grounds to remain in the country, regardless of any prior visa or residency permit.

The matter is deemed to have no interpretation or ambiguity, and cannot be subject to any settlement or negotiation.