Gossip from the Middle East

Love actually for Latifa

Tunisian singer Latifa, who was in Beirut last week, said that "she never gets enough of art and that she will never stop singing because she always has something new to offer to her public".

Comparing her art to the infinity of the deep sea, Latifa confessed that she "stops being sweet when she is confronted to injustice and disrespect".

Talking about her private life, Latifa said that she's been in love with the same person for years now, adding that she believes in true love but not in marriage.

"Marriage is only a social institution, even though some marriages are a success. I believe much more in love. My liberty is also very precious to me."

Rayan is reformed

Lebanese singer Rayan, who was jailed for two weeks on drug charges, is a "reformed man" now.

"I was wrong to think that drugs will make me [a] better person or a more inspired artist. I think I got what I deserved. And I think that this experience made me a stronger man," he said.

"When I was in jail, I knew who my real friends are. I was stupid to think that all my acquaintances are nice people," Rayan added. He said that the people who offered him drugs are not in show business and that he thought they were his real friends.

He also talked about his relationship with his parents, noting that he became closer to his parents after he was out of jail. "Once I started in show business, I chose to leave my family home and be alone. Now, I just asked my mother to stay with me."