LIONEL RICHIE - RICHIE BELOVED IN IRAQ

Soul star LIONEL RICHIE has discovered he's still the most beloved star in the Middle East - from US soldiers fighting in Iraq. The troops have stunned the HELLO singer with reports he's the one western pop star Iraqis love - they play his ALL NIGHT LONG hit as a celebration anthem. The delighted star says, "I remember soldiers telling me during the fall of Baghdad that they played All Night Long in the streets as a celebration song. "Two things in life should never surprise you - what your kids end up doing and where your songs end up going."