Clerics torpedo samba show

Brazilian musicians from Rio De Janeiro Carnival perform in front of al-Amin mosque during a parade in downtown Beirut September 23, 2009.

Tire, Lebanon (Reuters) - A protest by Muslim clerics torpedoed a Brazilian samba show in the Lebanese city of Tire on Thursday, local officials said.

A statement by the clerics condemned plans for the open-air display by a dance troupe that has been touring Lebanon.

"We support tourism but are against obscenity," said Sheikh Ali Yassin, who heads a group of clerics in the predominantly Shi'ite Muslim city.

The local council responded by cancelling the show after consulting politicians and security officials, officials said.

The troupe, including musicians and scantily clad dancers, performed in central Beirut's Martyrs' Square last week.

(Writing by Tom Perry in Beirut, editing by Paul Casciato)