BEIRUT, Lebanon - MK Azmi Bishara (Balad) laid a wreath Friday at the mass grave of hundreds of Palestinian men, women and children slain by pro-Israeli militiamen at two refugee camps during Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Bishara said his visit to the Sabra and Chatila refugee camps was "a wish I dreamed of fulfilling one day." There, he met with Palestinians who had lost loved ones in the massacre and stressed the Palestinians' right of return to their country "as a basic right."

More than 700 Palestinians were killed over three days by pro-Israeli Lebanese Christian militiamen entered the Beirut camps in September 1982. They were seeking revenge for the assassination of their leader, President-elect Bashir Gemayel, which they blamed on Palestinian guerrillas.

Many Arabs blame Israel for the slayings, noting that soldiers of its invading army stood just outside the camps during the massacre.

An Israeli commission of inquiry found then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, the architect of the invasion, indirectly responsible for the massacre, prompting his resignation in 1983.

Bishara, in Lebanon to offer condolences to the family of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said: "I could not have come to Lebanon to offer condolences for martyr Rafik Hariri and not offer condolences to the martyrs of the Sabra and Chatila massacre."

The visit was Bishara's first to Lebanon, which is in a state of war with Israel and bans Israeli citizens from entering the country.

Lebanon withdraws from Eurovision
Lebanon has pulled out of this year's Eurovision song contest because of the presence of an Israeli participant in the show, organizers said Friday.

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 Lebanese legislation, Tele Liban is not permitted to broadcast the performance of the Israeli participant, thereby breaching the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005," the statement said. 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 semifinal and a final.

Tele Liban's head, Ibrahim Khoury, confirmed the decision to pull out, telling The Associated Press that Lebanon was unaware of the presence of an Israeli participant when it confirmed its entry in December.

"Lebanon is in a state of war with Israel. If the Israeli contestant wins, we would have to show the celebrations," Khoury said. He added that Lebanon would also be obliged to air the Israeli Web site on which viewers could vote for the Israeli participant. "I cannot do this," he said.

Khoury said the decision to withdraw was "painful," particularly as Lebanon was participating with a talented contestant, Aline Lahoud, who has also pulled out of the show.

The station is obligated to pay its participation fee, plus an additional penalty which Khoury did not specify.

Lebanon is technically in a state of war with Israel and any contact with the Jewish state is considered a crime. Still, the country routinely takes part in Miss Universe and Miss World contests that are broadcast on Lebanese television.

Jad Rahbani, a Lebanese musician who composed the song Lahoud was to sing, said the withdrawal from Eurovision was "another blow" for Lebanon.

"I'm very disappointed," he said.