Iranian ambassador defies Lebanese expulsion order, granted civilian residency permit

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Lebanese media report that the head of General Security, Gen. Hassan Choucair, granted Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Shibani a six-month residency permit as a civilian, after his diplomatic visa expired today. Shibani had refused to leave despite a decision by Beirut's Foreign Ministry months ago to expel him. According to the reports, he arrived in person at the General Security secretariat to receive the new residency permit, which was issued without any diplomatic title. -Kann