Lebanon denies entry to Iran’s diplomatic team

On By Littum

An Iranian delegation was denied entry to Lebanon after officials accompanying Khamenei adviser Ali Larijani refused to be searched by airport security teams, Lebanese media site LBCI reported on Friday.

The delegation argued that as diplomats they should enjoy immunity and not need to be searched.

After the delegation’s refusal to comply, airport security officer Brigadier General Fadi Kfoury closed all access to the VIP lounge – preventing the delegation from entering the country.

Background for the visit

The visit came a day after the United States delivered a draft ceasefire to see an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Smoke billows over Beirut’s southern suburbs, following an Israeli attack, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 15, 2024. (Credit: REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI)

The visiting Iranian official had promised not to disturb the agreements reached.

Hezbollah began attacking Israel on October 8 – a day after its Hamas ally invaded southern Israel and murdered around 1,200 people. The rocket fire forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of Israel’s northern residents.