London, Jan 7 : Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim has cancelled two concerts in the Middle East because of safety concerns.

Barenboim had been due to appear with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra on 10 January in Doha, Qatar, with a second date in Cairo, Egypt, two days later, reports the BBC.

However, Barenboim has called off the concerts `due to the escalating violence in Gaza and the resulting concerns for the musicians'' safety'.

Now, the Arab-Israeli ensemble will now begin its 10th anniversary concert tour in Berlin on 12 January.

The remainder of the tour will proceed as planned, with scheduled dates in Moscow, Vienna and Milan unaffected. (ANI)