Iranian ambassador refuses to leave Lebanon after being declared persona non grata, AFP reveals
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, has refused to leave the country despite being declared persona non grata by the Lebanese government, following orders from Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Hezbollah.
- Lebanon officially requested Sheibani to leave by March 29, 2026, but Hezbollah and Amal party politicians have boycotted parliamentary sessions in protest of the expulsion decision.
- Reports indicate that over 100 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers were deployed to Lebanon to help Hezbollah rebuild its military command after severe losses in the 2024 conflict.
- The IRGC's direct involvement has been crucial in revitalizing Hezbollah's capabilities, with their efforts beginning shortly after the November 2024 ceasefire despite ongoing Israeli strikes.
- This military overhaul followed significant setbacks for Hezbollah, including the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders during the 2024 war.
