Gaza singer Mohammed Assaf wins Arab Idol contest -Saturday June 22,2013

Celebrations have erupted across the Palestinian territories at news that a wedding singer from the Gaza Strip has won the Arab Idol talent TV show.

Mohammed Assaf(23) was a virtual unknown until a few weeks ago but has now become a local hero.

The contest, held in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was watched by millions across the region.The talent contest has been broadcast on the Beirut-based MBC TV channel since March 2013

Assaf was declared the winner on June 22,2013 Saturday evening, a day after he competed in a final against two other singers - Ahmed Jamal from Egypt and Farah Youssef from Syria