Pop legend Chris de Burgh is set to become the first Western artist to play a concert in Iran since 1979. 'The Lady In Red' star is expected to perform at a 12,000-seat stadium in the Middle Eastern country's capital city Tehran next summer (2008).

Rajabpour, director of Taraneh Sharghi music company, said Arian and Chris de Burgh had recorded a song called "A Melody for Peace" which he said was intended "to reflect the peace-seeking spirit of the Iranian people to the world."

Chris de Burgh, 59, will take to the stage along with Iranian pop group Arian, who he recently recorded a single with. Chris De Burgh is expected to visit Iran in the new year (2008) to finalize discussions on the project.

"The head of the music centre of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has officially announced that there is no problem with holding a joint performance," Arian's manager, Mohsen Rajabpour, said when asked whether his plan had been approved.

"We are trying to organise the concerts, scheduled for June and July," he added.

"According to the schedule, Chris de Burgh will come to Iran before the Iranian new year (March 2008) to visit historical sites and cities," said Arian's manager Mohsen Rajabpour.

"Then the artist will come to Iran for a concert in the months of Tir and Mordad (from June to late August) to perform along with Arian in the open air." he said.

"Iran is definitely one of those countries I would love to visit. Not only for historical reasons but also for the fact that I believe that music is an international language and deserves to be heard all over the world," de Burgh replied to one of his Iranian fans in a message posted in 2002.

Chris De Burgh recently recorded a song 'The Words I Love You' with the band.

Mr Rajabpour said Chris de Burgh would perform solo tracks as well as singing with the band. He added that a joint overseas tour was in the pipeline.

A message on the band's website describes Chris de Burgh as "a well known face and one of the most loved and popular foreign artists in Iran".

The plan is to hold the concert at a 12,000-seat stadium complex in Tehran.