Lebanon requests departure of Iran's appointed ambassador

Lebanon on Tuesday requested the departure of Iran's appointed ambassador after declaring him persona non grata, the foreign ministry said.

The ministry said it had summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Lebanon, Toufic Samadi Khoshkhoo, and informed him of the decision, requesting that the appointed ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, leave Lebanese territory by Sunday.

Lebanon has also recalled its ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweidan, for consultations over what it described as Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and the principles governing relations between the two countries.

The move came amid rising tensions between Lebanon and Iran in recent months, including disputes over the accreditation of the new Iranian ambassador and Lebanese objections to statements by Iranian officials that were seen as interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.

The Lebanese authorities have also recently taken measures to regulate the presence and activities of Iranian nationals in the country, further escalating diplomatic strain between the two sides.