The Byblos International Festival announced Wednesday evening that American singer Tyga was canceling a concert scheduled for next Saturday at the end of the festival in the Lebanese coastal city of Byblos, north of Beirut. For reasons he said were “outside his control”.

This year’s session began on the fifth of this month after an “unforced absence” since 2019, saying in a statement on its social media pages that it “regrets” the announcement of the cancellation of Tyga’s concert on Saturday, August 19, due to reasons beyond his control.” His will.”

He indicated that those who bought tickets for the party will be able to get their refunds from next Monday, adding that more details in this regard would be announced “soon”.

Tyga previously performed in Beirut in 2013. Since its inception two decades ago, the Byblos Festival is scheduled to return to the Lebanese public this year with a host of international stars, led by Barbara Hendrix, Elton John, Strome, Yanni, Lana Del Rey, Sia. , Mireille Mathieu, Marc Lavoine, the Scorpions and John Legend, and a group of very important Lebanese and Arab artists.

In response to questions from Agence France-Presse, Byblos festival management denied any connection to the cancellation decision, saying its role was only in renting the stage in Byblos to the company organizing the party.

Monkey Management, the organizing company, was not immediately available to respond to questions from AFP.

Although no official reason has been given by those involved for the cancellation, posts circulating on social networks have concluded with the 33-year-old American rapper and R&B star performing a concert in Israel three days before the announced date. His concert in Lebanon.

The American singer, whose hits include “Taste” and “A Macarena,” is on a world tour whose official dates this week will mark several stops in the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Lebanon and Israel are still technically at war, and Lebanese laws prevent people from entering Lebanon if they can be proven to have traveled to Israel.

Local groups often organize campaigns calling for boycotts of individuals and artists who visit or publicly support Israel.

In past years, concerts by international artists have been canceled after campaigns accused of supporting Israel, carried out by activists through the media or social networks, such as the Moroccan-French comedian Zad Al-Malay in 2009 and the Belgian-Italian. Singer Laura Fabian in 2012.

Two months ago, Lebanese authorities barred Kuwaiti anchor Fajr al-Sayed from entering Lebanon and forced her to leave shortly after she arrived at Beirut airport. Formerly Israeli territory.

(AFP)