Beirut, March 25 — Lebanon’s government has withdrawn its agreement for Iran’s ambassador-designate and declared him persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country by March 29, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced. Raggi said he instructed the ministry’s secretary-general to summon the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Beirut to deliver the decision.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed Lebanon’s action, describing it as justified and calling on Beirut to take further steps against what he characterized as Iran’s “indirect occupation through Hezbollah.” Sa’ar also urged action against Hezbollah figures who continue to serve in ministerial posts.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that a ballistic missile fired by Iran fell in Beirut after multiple projectiles were launched toward Israel. The IDF said the incident demonstrated that Tehran “doesn’t care who gets hurt in its efforts to target Israel.” Earlier, the Israeli military ordered evacuations in seven neighborhoods of Beirut’s southern suburbs and said it would continue strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in parts of those suburbs.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said shrapnel from an interception by a foreign naval vessel fell over several towns north of Beirut, causing some light injuries.
Separately, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet said naval forces struck and killed Mohammad Ali Kourani in Hazmieh, an area of greater Beirut outside the southern suburbs. Israeli authorities identified Kourani as a Quds Force operative allegedly involved in planning attacks directed by Iranian-linked groups. The Quds Force is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ external operations arm. There was no immediate comment from Iranian or Lebanese officials.
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