Hezbollah boycotts cabinet session over Iran ambassador expulsion
Ministers from Hezbollah and its ally Amal boycotted a cabinet session on Thursday in protest over the government declaring the Iranian ambassador persona non grata.
The two Shia parties have a combined four ministers, with one independent Shia also represented in the cabinet present at the meeting, as the spat over the Iranian diplomat's expulsion escalated.
Independent Shiite minister Fadi Makki said in a statement that constitutional institutions, led by the Cabinet, "remain the natural framework for national decision-making, especially during times of crisis."
He said he opposes the move of expelling the Iranian ambassador but has "a firm belief" that active participation is a national necessity to confront escalating challenges.
He urged cabinet to focus on the displacement crisis, on political and diplomatic efforts to halt the Israeli aggression, and on prioritizing civil peace and dialogue to protect Lebanon.
"I have come to affirm that Lebanon today is in dire need of decisions that unite rather than divide. We have no choice but the State," Makki said.
Lebanon’s foreign ministry this week gave the Iranian ambassador until Sunday to leave the country, the latest unprecedented step by Lebanese authorities since a new war erupted on March 2 between Israel and Hezbollah.
The foreign ministry had accused him of making statements “interfering in Lebanon’s internal politics.”
Hezbollah has called the decision a “sin” and demanded the authorities reverse the move.
On Thursday, dozens of protesters gathered in front of the Iranian embassy to protest the decision, AFP correspondents said.
Some waved Iranian, Lebanese or Hezbollah flags, or chanted “death to America, death to Israel” near the embassy, located on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, which Israel has repeatedly bombed in recent weeks.
Protester Mohammad, who declined to provide his surname, told AFP that “we came here to show our support for the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon, so that the government will back down on this decision, which is not befitting” of Lebanon.
“There are a number of ambassadors in Lebanon who violate our sovereignty, who speak and act to stir up internal strife, but nobody says anything to them,” he added.
“This decision will not pass,” said protester Elham al-Mokdad, adding: “We stand with Iran proudly. Iran has supported us for 40 years.”
Farida Noureddine, 43, instead demanded the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador in Lebanon and of Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.
Rajji “does not represent us. He is carrying out Israeli decisions,” she said.
Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Israel has responded with heavy air strikes and has sent ground troops into the country’s south.
Beirut this month banned any activity by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and also prohibited Hezbollah’s military activities.
Source: Agence France Presse
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