Lebanese Court Orders Removal of Iranian Flag in Hezbollah Stronghold

BEIRUT, Sept 26: A Lebanese court has ordered the removal of an Iranian flag that had been displayed at a home in Houmine al-Tahta, in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, according to a judicial source cited by L’Orient-Le Jour.

The dispute began in August when supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement sought to display their respective flags in the village. Hezbollah supporters subsequently raised an Iranian flag at a house, prompting Nabatieh Prosecutor Najat Abou Chacra to order the removal of the flags.

The case highlights Lebanon’s rules governing the display of foreign flags. Lebanese presidential protocol states that when foreign flags are displayed alongside the Lebanese flag, the Lebanese flag must have precedence and no foreign flag or banner may be placed above it.

The move follows other recent action involving Iranian political symbols in Lebanon. In June, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar ordered the removal of banners thanking Iran and displaying images of Iranian leaders from the road leading to Beirut airport, according to the report.