Lebanese authorities extend Iranian ambassador's residency as a regular citizen

Lebanese authorities have granted former Iranian ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani a six-month legal residency permit in Lebanon as an "Iranian citizen, not a diplomat," months after the Lebanese Foreign Ministry declared Sheibani persona non grata and demanded his departure from the country within 72 hours, an announcement that he defied with backing from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

A security source told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that General Security chief Hassan Shqeir “proposed granting him residency, based on the legal powers that authorize him to do so, and informed the relevant political authorities (the president, the PM and interior minister) before signing the residency permit.”

Lebanese Foreign Ministry sources meanwhile told Asharq al-Awsat that the ministry “has not been notified and has no knowledge of him being granted residency,” noting that Minister Youssef Raji’s position “is clear: the matter is not open to compromise, and Iran must implement the decision.”