Lebanon boycotts Eurovision

Lebanon has pulled out of this year’s Eurovision song contest because of the presence of an Israeli participant in the show, organisers said yesterday.

A statement posted on the Eurovision website said Lebanon was forced to withdraw because its national television station could not broadcast the Israeli portions of the contest, to be held May 19 and 21 in Kiev, Ukraine.

“According to Lebanese legislation, Tele Liban is not permitted to broadcast the performance of the Israeli participant, thereby breaching the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005,” the statement said.

According to the rules of the contest, all national broadcasters of the countries taking part must broadcast the entire event, comprising two live televised shows – a semi-final and a final.

Tele Liban’s head, Ibrahim Khoury, confirmed the decision to pull out, saying that Lebanon was unaware of the presence of an Israeli participant when it confirmed its entry in December.