The 2006 Beirut International Marathon has been rescheduled for Sunday, The Daily Star reported on Wednesday.

The annual event, and related activities at the Marathon Village leading up to the actual race, will follow a schedule similar to the one mapped out for the original date, Nov. 26.

"We have committed ourselves to stage an international marathon. It's a promise made to runners and our sponsors," Beirut Marathon Association May Khalil was quoted as saying at the village, located next to the Port of Beirut, which will open to the public Wednesday afternoon.

Khalil insisted the marathon will happen as planned, despite the withdrawal of a handful of sponsors, including Cafe Super Brazil.

As of Tuesday, no local registered runners had canceled and three of the six elite international runners had confirmed their participation.

The Beirut International Marathon, originally scheduled on Nov.26, has been postponed because of the assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel on Nov. 21.

The 4th Beirut Marathon, under the slogan "For the Love of Lebanon," was scheduled to include three separate running contests: a 42.195-km International Marathon, a 10km Fun Run and a 5km Mini Marathon.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)