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Lebanese stars dominate first Arab pop music awards

DUBAI - Lebanese stars dominated the first Arab pop music awards, but the show was marred by technical glitches, rampant disorganisation and the absence of most of the region's music royalty.

The ceremony, which ended early on Sunday, was held after the first ever public

vote of its size in a music industry notorious for its fragile egos and which does not compile regular charts that would expose the real popularity of the region's biggest pop stars. Lebanese performer Elissa took best music video award and young Lebanese singers Iwan and Carole Samaha took the best male and female newcomer awards.

Egyptian rappers MTM took best modern Arabic act, but the top prizes; best male and female singer; were never awarded because the entire audience, and most performers, had left exhausted by big delays.