Lebanon moves to ban 'Barbie' film for 'promoting homosexuality'

'Barbie' has topped US$1bil in box office ticket sales worldwide since its July 21 debut. Photo: Handout

Lebanon's culture minister moved to ban the film Barbie from cinemas on Wednesday, saying it "promotes homosexuality" and contradicts religious values.

Minister Mohammad Mortada is backed by powerful Shi'ite armed group Hezbollah, whose head Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has ramped up his rhetoric against the LGBT community.