She had a vision

Earlier this year, I read that Lebanon will be participating in the Eurovison song contest where people from all participating countries vote for their favorite candidate.

Aline Lahoud was selected to represent Lebanon. She was awarded the Special Award Trophy of the FIDOF (Fédération Internationale de l’Organisation des Festivals) during the Megahit Festival in Turkey in September 2004.
Jad Rahbani composed the song she was supposed to sing.
WAS ????
Yes, "was", since Télé Liban (the state run TV station covering the event in Lebanon) decided to withdraw from the competition.
WHY?
Yeah well, apparently, Israel will be participating too and that won't work for the Lebanese government.
But hey, Israel also participates in Miss World and Miss Universe and Lebanon never withdrew from these competitions!
Go figure...

Anyway, regardless of poor Aline's and Jad's shattered dreams, Télé Liban now has to pay a penalty fee for withdrawing late using taxpayers money.

Nice way to reduce government expenses...
What a civilized image of Lebanon we are showing to the world...