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Sunday, March 29, 2026
Source: Iran’s ambassador will defy Lebanon’s expulsion order, won’t leave country today
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Iran’s ambassador will not leave Lebanon despite being declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the country by today, an Iranian diplomatic source tells AFP.
“The ambassador will not leave Lebanon, in accordance with the wishes of the speaker of parliament Nabih Berri and of Hezbollah,” the source says, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Hezbollah has denounced the decision, while Berri’s Amal party joined Hezbollah ministers in boycotting a cabinet session this past week in protest at the order to expel Mohammad Reza Sheibani.
The foreign ministry on Tuesday gave Tehran’s envoy until today to leave, in the latest unprecedented step by Lebanese authorities since Hezbollah initiated a new war with Israel on March 2.
The ministry accused him of making statements “interfering in Lebanon’s internal politics.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the expulsion “a courageous decision.”
The Lebanese authorities have banned Hezbollah’s military and security activities. It is the only armed non-state group in the country and a close ally of Iran.
It has also banned the presence and operations of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, whom Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has accused of directing Hezbollah operations against Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.