Lebanon popstar Elissa banned from dancing at Saudi concert

A Lebanese pop star was banned from dancing on stage during a concert in Saudi Arabia in line with the kingdom's ultra-conservative social restrictions.

Footage from a concert on Friday in Jeddah starring Elissa, shows the diva asking permission to dance from organisers and being turned down.

"Salem can I dance a little? No? He told me no," Elissa says.

Last year, the country's entertainment authority warned that "dancing and swaying" was strictly banned at concerts.

The kingdom has recently been relaxing its decades-old restrictions on entertainment and fun, as part of a wider effort spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to boost the economy and increase household spending domestically.