As Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa nears expiry, Beirut faces a new dilemma over his continued presence in Lebanon after refusing to accept his credentials as ambassador and declaring him persona non grata.
The relationship between Lebanon and Iran is once again coming to the fore as the visa of appointed ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani expires on the 24th of this month, next Monday, amid reports of efforts to contain any diplomatic crisis that could erupt again between the two countries, following the crisis triggered by Lebanon’s refusal to accept Sheibani’s credentials at the end of last March.
In fact, the Lebanese authorities’ decision not to accept his credentials, to declare him persona non grata and ask him to leave Lebanese territory within no more than a week, met with no response from the Iranian side, which refused to comply and kept Sheibani at the embassy. It went even further, granting the expelled ambassador freedom of movement in moves that were seen as provocative toward Lebanon.
With his visa now expiring, the Lebanese authorities face a new dilemma: either refuse to renew it and ask him to leave immediately, or renew it, but not in a diplomatic capacity, in which case he would become an Iranian citizen visiting Lebanon, without his residency allowing him to engage in any diplomatic activity.
Sheibani has played a role in recent months in organizing communication and coordination between Tehran and Hezbollah, without diplomatic cover, and has undertaken political moves and activities within the sphere of the axis to which he belongs.
Diplomatic sources do not rule out the possibility that he will continue to play this role without the need for diplomatic cover, given that the Lebanese authorities had turned a blind eye to his activities throughout his time in Beirut in order to avoid a larger diplomatic crisis with Tehran.
It is worth noting here that the Iranian Embassy—not the ambassador—is marking today, Thursday, the 40th day since the burial of Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and is receiving condolences at its premises. Sheibani will be present.
In this context, the sources say Lebanon has sought, and continues to seek, state-to-state relations with Iran, just as it is doing with Syria today. The problem, however, is that Tehran does not hesitate to provoke the Lebanese authorities, not only through Sheibani’s positions and movements, but also through the repeated daily statements of Iranian officials supporting Hezbollah and affirming their communication and coordination with it.
Sources at the Foreign Ministry revealed that the matter is no longer on its agenda, because the ministry informed the ambassador-designate appointed by his country that it would not accept his credentials and that he was persona non grata. Despite this, he remained in Lebanon, in violation of the Lebanese decision.
The issue will now be addressed on two levels: one technical, falling under the responsibility of Lebanese General Security, which is in charge of issuing visas, and the other political—which is more important—relating to the political settlement that will be adopted and on the basis of which General Security will act.
It was learned in this regard that the matter was discussed between the President of the Republic and the Speaker of Parliament in an effort to contain any problem or escalation amid the current delicate circumstances. It was understood that the settlement reached does not concern Sheibani, but rather the chargé d’affaires of the embassy, Tawfik Samadi Khoshkho, whose visa is also due to expire. His visa will be extended so that he can continue running the embassy’s affairs.
As for Sheibani, he does not need a visa because he previously served in Lebanon and is covered by the protocol granting permanent residency to former ambassadors—but as an Iranian citizen, not in his diplomatic capacity, which he has lost because his credentials were rejected. This may perhaps give him greater freedom of movement!
According to the sources, this settlement does not undermine Lebanon’s position, which refused to accredit Sheibani as its ambassador, and Lebanon expects Tehran to appoint a new ambassador.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar.
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