Hezbollah boycotts cabinet session over Iran ambassador expulsion

Ministers from Hezbollah and its ally Amal boycotted a cabinet session on Thursday in protest over the government declaring the Iranian ambassador persona non grata.

The two Shia parties have a combined four ministers, with one independent Shia also represented in the cabinet present at the meeting, as the spat over the Iranian diplomat's expulsion escalated.

Independent Shiite minister Fadi Makki said in a statement that constitutional institutions, led by the Cabinet, "remain the natural framework for national decision-making, especially during times of crisis."

He said he opposes the move of expelling the Iranian ambassador but has "a firm belief" that active participation is a national necessity to confront escalating challenges.

He urged cabinet to focus on the displacement crisis, on political and diplomatic efforts to halt the Israeli aggression, and on prioritizing civil peace and dialogue to protect Lebanon.

"I have come to affirm that Lebanon today is in dire need of decisions that unite rather than divide. We have no choice but the State," Makki said.