Lebanese protesters demand expulsion of Iranian Ambassador

BEIRUT — Over the weekend, protesters in Lebanon staged a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Beirut calling for the expulsion of the Iranian Ambassador.

The demonstrators raised banners bearing slogans denouncing Iranian interference in Lebanese politics and calling for the Iranian Ambassador in Beirut to be sent home.

During their sit-in, the protesters issued the following statement:

“We, the sovereign groups that emerged from the October 17th Revolution, believing in sovereignty, freedom, and independence, stand here today to raise our voice, in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which neglects implementing international laws and treaties. Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reject the Iranian Ambassador’s refusal to be summoned, after the Iranian insulting statements to the Lebanese national sovereignty.

This expresses a policy of neglecting Lebanese rights exercised by the Iranian authority, which destroyed Lebanon and its port, exploited its economy to serve the Iranian axis, as well as isolated it from the regional and global surroundings.”

The demonstrators also demanded solving the issue of the maritime borders with Israel and called for the signing of the decree to expand Lebanon’s claims in negotiations.