Yusuf Jaber, Lebanon’s foreign minister, announced that Mohammadreza Sheybani, the nominated ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, must leave the country after being declared an “undesirable element” by the Lebanese government, and that his continued presence would be at odds with Lebanon’s sovereign decision.

According to the Al-Nahar newspaper, Geagee said that declaring a diplomat as an “undesirable element” allows no room for interpretation, and that since this decision was issued, any visa, entry, or residence permits previously granted have lost their legal validity.

He stressed that any talk about extending a visa or continuing Sheybani’s residence would be legally groundless and is not compatible with the principles of international law and diplomatic practice.

Lebanon’s foreign minister also said that Sheybani’s continued presence in Lebanon after this decision has been issued conflicts with a clear, binding sovereign decision, and that this decision will not be subject to exception, interpretation, or circumvention through any kind of reconsideration of the final decision.

Yusuf Jaber had previously, on the fourth of Farvardin 1405, announced that he recognized the newly appointed ambassador of the Islamic Republic as an “undesirable element” and asked him to leave Lebanon’s territory by the ninth of Farvardin.

Based on this report, Lebanon previously refused to accept the credentials of Mohammadreza Sheybani and declared him a “disagreeable” diplomat. The deadline for his visa was also announced as the second of Shahrivar 1405 (24 August).