Tiesto Terrorist Threat Hoax

Rumours of alleged death threat appear to be unfounded...

A rumour that superstar DJ Tiesto’s life would be in danger if he played a scheduled gig in Beirut has been all over the dance forums this week, but the story has turned out to be false.
It was said that local terrorist group Fatah al-Islam had directly threatened to kill the DJ if the gig, on July 2nd, takes place.
The story was first reported by Lebanon’s independent news website Ya Libnan, which relies on volunteers to provide much of its proudly uncensored coverage.
But it seems on this occasion there were no grounds to the story and the news service has moved hastily to limit any damage to their own or their country’s reputation.
An statement released last night apologised for publishing the “false rumours”, stating, “At Ya Libnan, we take pride in how we promote Lebanon as a premier tourist destination, and the last thing we want is to instigate unnecessary fear.”
Lebanon has a vibrant, cosmopolitan nightlife culture with amazing beachfront party locations regularly hosting top international DJs like Danny Howells and Paul van Dyk, however recent political and religious trouble in the region has threatened the scene.
The Tiesto rumour may have started as a result of Latin American pop star Shakira’s sudden unexplained cancellation of her world tour dates in Beirut.
But locals are determined that violence will not stop the party, or make visitors fearful of coming to enjoy their welcoming hospitality.
Tiesto himself saw the biggest turn out ever for a party in the Middle East when he played in Lebanon in 2005 - more than 16,000 people turned out to see one of his epic shows then, so he’s sure to receive a hugely enthusiastic welcome on his return.