Ziad Rahbani, Lebanese musical giant and sardonic critic, dead at 69

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Ziad Rahbani, the Lebanese composer and musician who built a distinct Lebanese sound from Western and Arabic musical roots, and whose sardonic critique of the country's sectarian politics rang true to Lebanese across the divides, has died.

Rahbani was much-loved across Lebanon and his words remained relevant across generations, from those who grew up with him during the 1975-90 Civil War, to the post-war generation who have struggled to shake the war's legacy.

He passed away at a hospital in Beirut on Saturday morning after a long illness, the hospital said.