Lebanon have pulled out of the 2007 Asian Cup qualifiers due to the massive damages resulting from the Israeli attacks on the country. Rahif Alameh, Lebanon Football Association (LFA) general secretary, wrote in a letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that they were "unable to proceed due to the tragic circumstances" in his country. "Confronting this humanitarian horrible devastation, in addition to the closure of Beirut International Airport which was bombed by the Israeli aircrafts," read the letter carried by the AFC Asian Cup website. "Then bombing the highway between Lebanon and Syria and subsequently blocking the way out, we had no other choice than informing you regretfully our decision to cease our participation in the AFC Asian Cup." Israel has been pounding capital Beirut and southern Lebanon since July 12th, leaving some 600 people killed and thousands displaced. Services like electricity and communications were affected and Alameh pointed out that even some Lebanese international players fled their homes and became out of reach. "Several Lebanese national players were amongst the thousands who had been forced to leave their homes or had been separated from their families following the attacks," he added. Lebanon are drawn in Group D of the Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Australia, Kuwait and Bahrain whom they were set to play in Manama on August 16th. The AFC will hold an emergency meeting later on Tuesday to discuss the situation.
