LEBANON has pulled out of this year's Eurovision song contest because of the presence of an Israeli participant in the show, organisers said.
A statement posted on the Eurovision Web site 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 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.
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