Doha: Lebanon has declared Iranian ambassador-designate 'persona non grata' and ordered his departure, in a sharp escalation of tensions between the two countries.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Tuesday that it has withdrawn its recognition of Mohammad Reza Sheibani as ambassador and demanded that he leave the country by Sunday. The Ministry further stated that it had summoned Lebanon's Ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweidan, for consultations, citing what it described as Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and established protocols.

The move by Lebanon is part of a broader regional trend, with several countries also asking Iranian diplomatic staff to leave their territories and declaring them unwelcome. This development marks a significant deterioration in the diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Iran, adding to the growing list of nations at odds with Tehran over similar issues.