AFP/Beirut

Thousands of mourners gathered in central Beirut yesterday to celebrate the life of famed Lebanese diva Sabah who died this week at the age of 87.
Musicians and dancers were among the mourners, in keeping with the larger-than-life star’s request that her funeral be a celebration.
Her coffin, covered in a Lebanese flag, was brought to the Mar Gergis church in the centre of the Lebanese capital for a service presided over by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.
Among the mourners were some of Lebanon’s best-known artists and top politicians, but also many ordinary citizens, who both wept and sang.
“She was just the best. We have lost her, but she’ll stay in our hearts,” said Fatima, dressed in a headscarf and black coat.
“Sabah’s death in a loss for all of Lebanon,” added Maria, another mourner.
The iconic singer and actress was beloved throughout the Arab world, with her seven-decade career and her colourful love life keeping her in the headlines until the end.
Born Jeanette Gergis Feghali, she later took the screen name Sabah (Morning in Arabic) but was affectionately known by the diminutive Sabbuha, or the nickname Shahrura (songbird).
She began performing in the 1940s, earning a reputation for her renditions of patriotic songs as well as folkloric ballads.
She was also an icon of the big screen, appearing in more than 90 movies.
Her funeral was covered live by almost every domestic Lebanese television station, though the Al Manar channel of the conservative Shia movement Hezbollah ran its regular programmes.
As her coffin was brought out of the church after the service, mourners showered it with flowers, some waving the Lebanese flag as they cheered.
Among those in attendance was Fadi Lebnan, who was married to Sabah for 17 years—her longest union.
“Sabah was a one-off, she can never be repeated,” he said. “She is a legend... she was my sweetheart.”