TEHRAN - The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday declared Bahrain’s second diplomat in Tehran Bassam Dalhan al-Dosari as “persona non grata”, asking him to leave the country within 72 hours in response to Bahrain’s recalling its ambassador to Iran.

In a statement on Friday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said he has 72 hours to leave Iran. The statement also categorically rejected Bahrain’s allegations that Tehran is interfering in the internal affairs of the Arab island state.

Bahrain had earlier ordered Tehran’s charge d’affaires in Manama Mohammad Reza Babaei to leave the country.

The Manama regime has accused Tehran of forming and arming groups opposed to the Al Khalifa regime. On Thursday, Bahraini officials claimed that they had arrested a number of people over allegations that they had links with Iran and Iraq for “terrorist activities.”

The Bahrain government has been facing daily protests since early 2011, with protesters calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

MD/P