Lebanon has withdrawn as host of next month's Asian Athletics Championship as a result of the current security situation within the country, local Daily Star news paper reported quoting an Indian athletics official.

"They (the Lebanese federation) have expressed their inability to host the event because of the circumstances there, the violence," Indian athletics secretary Lalit Bhanot was quoted as telling the press on Friday.

The Asian Athletics Association (AAA) was notified that the Lebanese government lacked the ability to guarantee the security of all the championship's participants, a Hindu newspaper also reported on Friday, the paper said.

Efforts are currently under way to find an alternate venue for the event before the World Championships begin in Osaka, Japan on Aug. 25, the report added.

Beirut was scheduled to host the championship from July 29 to Aug. 2.

Lebanese Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Fatfat said Friday the committee charged with organizing the event had faced what he described as "organizational obstacles" as some participating countries are hesitant to travel to Lebanon due to the current circumstances.

Fatfat expressed regret regarding the cancellation but said the his country have asked to host the next championship.

Five bombs and several grenades and concussion bombs have exploded in and around the Lebanese capital of Beirut since a deadly fighting between the Lebanese Army and a group of al-Qaida inspired militants broke out on May 20.(Xinhua)