French Artists Snub Live 8

French artists including Johnny Hallyday and MYLENE FARMER have still not confirmed whether they'll be appearing at the Paris leg of charity event Live 8, leaving organisers fuming.

Live 8 officials in France want a large contingent of native acts to perform in the capital city, but are currently fighting to encourage French musicians to take part.

So far, foreign stars The Cure, Muse, Placebo, Dido, Shakira, SHERYL CROWE and Craig David have confirmed they'll be performing in Paris alongside French artists YANNICK NOAH, FLORENT PAGNY, CALOGERO, KYO and DIAM'S.

But the appearance of several famous French stars - including HALLYDAY, Farmer, PASCAL OBISPO, JULIEN CLERC, RENAUD and ALAIN SOUCHON - is yet to be confirmed.

JACKIE LOMBARD, organiser of the Paris gig, says, "It's outrageous. We have to call foreign artists for the concert. We are going to end up with more international artists than French ones.

"We just ask them to be here and to say some words. This event will be broadcast to more than 2 billions people and this is important for the French image in the world."

Lombard adds that French star Patrick Bruel, who will be in the US when Live 8 is held simultaneously around the world on 2 July (05), has offered to appear at the Philadelphia event but has not yet heard back from American organisers.