Iranian Embassy Staff Refuses Diplomatic Bag Inspection at Beirut Airport
In a recent diplomatic incident at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, an employee from the Iranian Embassy refused to allow Lebanese authorities to inspect a diplomatic bag he was carrying, according to reports from Lebanese media outlets on Thursday evening.
The channel “Al-Jadeed” reported that the bag remains in the arrivals hall of the airport. This event echoes a similar occurrence on November 15 last year, before the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. At that time, members of the delegation accompanying Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, objected to the inspection of their luggage by airport security. Despite their objections, security insisted on the inspection, leading to a temporary closure of gates and a delay in entry for the delegation.
Contrarily, “Al-Alam” quoted a member of Larijani’s delegation denying these reports, stating that
the Iranian delegation was received by Lebanese officials according to standard diplomatic
protocol. This source refuted claims about the inspection, suggesting that such allegations were
aimed at tarnishing the successful visit of Mr. Larijani.
This incident raises questions about diplomatic privileges, particularly the sanctity of diplomatic
bags under international law, which generally should not be opened except in exceptional
circumstances agreed upon by the sending state. The refusal to allow inspection can lead to
diplomatic tensions but also underscores the complexities involved in ensuring security while
respecting diplomatic immunities.
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