The Chief of Mission is the Ambassador.
Based on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dated April 18 1961, the functions of an Embassy are, among others:
• To represent the sending State in the receiving State;
• To protect in the receiving State the interests of the sending State and of its nationals, within the limits permitted by international law;
• To negotiate with the Government of the receiving State;
• To ascertain by all lawful means conditions and developments in the receiving State, and reporting thereon to the Government of the sending State;
• To promote friendly relations between the sending State and the receiving State, and developing their economic, cultural and scientific relations.
The Embassy coordinates the Cultural Institutes, the Italian Trade Agency offices the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Through its Consular section, the Embassy of Italy in Beirut also offers a host of consular services to Italian and non-Italian citizens living within its jurisdiction.