BEIRUT — An Iranian diplomatic source confirmed to AFP on Sunday that Ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Shibani will not comply with the Lebanese government’s order to leave the country. The source stated that Shibani is staying “in accordance with the wishes” of Hezbollah and the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri (leader of the Amal Movement).
This move directly challenges the authority of Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who declared Shibani persona non grata last Tuesday.
The Grounds for Expulsion
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry moved to expel Shibani following what it termed “flagrant interference” in Lebanon’s internal affairs. The friction stems from several recent developments:
- Diplomatic Overreach: Shibani was accused of making public statements that bypassed official government channels to dictate how Lebanon should respond to the ongoing war with Israel.
- IRGC Operations: Prime Minister Salam has accused the Iranian Embassy of providing a “command-and-control” cover for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose operations were officially banned by the Lebanese cabinet earlier this month.
- The Pager Legacy: Shibani only took over the post recently after the previous ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was seriously injured in the September 2024 pager explosions.
A Government Divided
The expulsion order has exposed a massive fracture within the Lebanese state:
- The Boycott: Ministers from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have boycotted cabinet sessions in protest, calling the expulsion a “sin” and a “betrayal” of the Resistance Axis.
- The Parliamentary Shield: Speaker Nabih Berri’s support for the ambassador effectively grants him a layer of political protection that makes physical deportation nearly impossible without risking a domestic armed conflict.
- The International Response: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised the expulsion as a “courageous decision” for Lebanese sovereignty, while Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar called it a “justified step against indirect occupation.”
What Happens Next?
As of late Sunday night, Shibani remains at the Iranian Embassy compound on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs.
- Accreditation Void: Legally, the Lebanese government no longer recognizes Shibani’s diplomatic immunity or status.
- Risk of Escalation: If the Lebanese security forces attempt to forcibly remove him, they risk a direct confrontation with Hezbollah’s security apparatus.
- The Charge d’Affaires: Lebanon has clarified that it is not cutting ties with Tehran entirely; it expects the embassy to be led by a lower-ranking Chargé d’Affaires who adheres to traditional diplomatic norms.
| Group | Position on Expulsion | Primary Reason |
| Lebanese Govt (Salam/Raggi) | For | Restore sovereignty; end IRGC interference. |
| Hezbollah & Amal | Against | View Iran as a vital ally; call the move “pro-Western.” |
| France / EU | For | Support for a neutral, sovereign Lebanon. |
| Israel | For | Desire to see Iranian influence in the Levant dismantled. |
