Lebanese singer Assi El Hellani and Syrian artist Rowaida Atyeh recorded a new duet together last week called “Sahra Al Shraq� (The Eastern Desert) at the �Jo Barojian Studios’.

Rowaida arrived at the studio early to practice singing in the Bedouin accent.

Rowaida also recorded a duet with the famous Lebanese singer Wadee Al Safi, called “Haida Lebnan� (This Is Lebanon). She also performed with the famous Lebanese singer Sabah (Sabooha). Rowaida believes that singing for Sabah opened the doors to her success, and if a film is made about Sabah she hopes to star in it.

According to the London daily Elaph, the new duet will be included on Assi’s upcoming album, which features ten songs in the Lebanese, Egyptian and Bedouin dialects.

The album will also include another duet called “Rajalali Aw Rajani� between Assi and another “Star Academy� contestant Shayma. The duet is sung in the Lebanese dialect.

Rumors claim the duet between Assi and Rowaida, “Sahra Al Shraq,� was supposed to be sung by Assi and Syrian singer Asala Nasri. Assi composed a song for Asala, which she sang at the wedding of princess Reem, daughter of the Saudi prince Walid Bin Talal. Assi liked the way Asala performed the song and asked her to sing a duet together.

Majed Al Hilani, the manager of Assi Hellani, denied that the song was supposed to be between Assi and Asala. Hilani asserts that Assi composed the song specifically for Rowaida, after the last episode of the entertainment show “Taratata� in which Assi and Rowaida sang a duet together that was loved by fans.

Rowaida has a strong voice that is suitable for the singing style of Assi, added Hilani.

Assi and Rowaida will appear on the Lebanese channel “LBC� (Lebanese Broadcasting Company) at the Miss Lebanon ceremony to perform the new duet together.

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Tunisian radio stations named Tunisian singer Latifa and Lebanese singers Elissa and Assi El Hellani the best singers of 2007. Saber Al Riba’ie was chosen as best male Tunisian singer and Latifa was chosen as best female.

Station listeners and the Tunisian media nominated Arab singers for the awards.

The song “Bahibak Wahshtini� (I Love You I Miss You) by Husein Al Jismi was named best Arabic song and “Al Ghorbah� by Saber Al Riba’ie was chosen as best Tunisian song.

According to the London daily Elaph, Best music video went to Nancy Ajram’s song “Ihsas Jadid� (New Feeling), which also garnered an award for best direction.