A poster of the slain Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hangs near the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb of Haret Hreik neighbourhood. AFP
The two Shia parties have a combined four ministers, while one independent Shia minister was instead present at the meeting, the official said, as the spat over the Iranian diplomat's expulsion escalated.
Hezbollah is an armed movement backed by Iran, which also has political representation in both government and parliament.
Lebanon's foreign ministry this week gave the Iranian ambassador until Sunday to leave the country, the latest unprecedented step by Lebanese authorities since a new war erupted on March 2 between Israel and Hezbollah.
The foreign ministry had accused him of making statements "interfering in Lebanon's internal politics".
Hezbollah has called the decision a "mistake" and demanded that the authorities reverse the move.
On Thursday, dozens of protesters gathered in front of the Iranian embassy to protest the decision, AFP correspondents said.
Some waved Iranian, Lebanese, or Hezbollah flags, or chanted "death to America, death to Israel" near the embassy, located on the outskirts of Beirut's southern suburbs, which Israel has repeatedly bombed in recent weeks.
Protester Mohammed, who declined to provide his surname, told AFP that "we came here to show our support for the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon, so that the government will back down on this decision, which is not befitting" of Lebanon.
"There are several ambassadors in Lebanon who violate our sovereignty, who speak and act to stir up internal strife, but nobody says anything to them," he added.
"This decision will not pass," said protester Elham al-Mokdad, adding, "We stand with Iran proudly. Iran has supported us for 40 years."
Farida Noureddine, 43, instead demanded the expulsion of the US ambassador in Lebanon and of Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi.
Raggi "does not represent us. He is carrying out Israeli decisions," she said.
Israel has struck Lebanon with heavy air strikes and has sent ground troops into the country's south.
This month, Beirut banned any activity by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and also prohibited Hezbollah's military activities.
Short link: