France honors US entertainer Liza Minnelli (AP)

PARIS – France has paid tribute to storied songstress Liza Minnelli, making the "Cabaret" star an officer in the country's Legion of Honor.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand pinned the red-ribboned medal on Minnelli's lapel in an emotional ceremony in a gilded hall Monday.

Minnelli called the distinction "a dream come true" and said she was "honored to be a part of France, a part of Paris."

A visibly moved Minnelli told spectators at the ceremony: "Thank you for watching me, thank you for caring about me."

The daughter of Hollywood star Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, the entertainer won an Oscar for her role in the hit 1972 film "Cabaret." She's also the recipient of an Emmy and several Golden Globe and Tony Awards.

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France salutes Lisa Minnelli with Medal of Honour (AFP)

PARIS (AFP) – France left Liza Minnelli awestruck on Monday when it presented its Legion of Honour medal to the veteran American entertainer in Paris.

"What I'm really, really so honoured about is to be a part of France, to be a part of the city and the country of my dreams," said the 65-year-old singer and actress at a ceremony hosted by Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand.

"Thank you for wanting me," Minnelli added. "Thank you for caring about me. Thank you for giving this wonderful tennis game of life that we have going together."

Minnelli, who collected an Oscar in 1972 for her performance in "Cabaret", was playing the Olympia music hall -- where her 1969 appearance became a live album -- later on Monday as part of an international tour.

Underscoring Minnelli's contribution not only to show business, but also to the fight against HIV-AIDS, Mitterrand said: "We love you because you make our lives better."

France often gives the Legion of Honour to American and other foreign entertainers. Former California governor and "Terminator" star Arnold Schwarzenegger received one three months ago during a television festival in Cannes.

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France honors US entertainer Liza Minnelli (AP)

PARIS – France has paid tribute to storied songstress Liza Minnelli, making the "Cabaret" star an officer in the country's Legion of Honor.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand pinned the red-ribboned medal on Minnelli's lapel in an emotional ceremony in a gilded hall Monday.

Minnelli called the distinction "a dream come true" and said she was "honored to be a part of France, a part of Paris."

A visibly moved Minnelli told spectators at the ceremony: "Thank you for watching me, thank you for caring about me."

The daughter of Hollywood star Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, the entertainer won an Oscar for her role in the hit 1972 film "Cabaret." She's also the recipient of an Emmy and several Golden Globe and Tony Awards.

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London hotel fire 'forces Minnelli, Lennox to flee' (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – A blaze at London's exclusive Park Lane Hilton led to the evacuation of 1,500 people, reportedly including celebrities such as Liza Minnelli and Annie Lennox.

The fire broke out in the early evening, a few hours after the hotel staged the Silver Clef Awards in which Sir Paul McCartney was honoured as the year's best live act.

Sky News said stars who had attended the event, such as Lennox, Minnelli, Status Quo and Tinie Tempah were among the evacuees.

Around 40 firefighters battled for more than four hours to extinguish the blaze at the 28-floor building overlooking Hyde Park.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said eight fire engines were used to pump water on the flames and an aerial platform was used as a "cherry picker" to survey the fire.

"Around 1,500 people were evacuated from the hotel and all were accounted for," the LFB said.

"The fire is thought to have started in a kitchen in the basement of the hotel. Ducting between the basement and the fourth floor was damaged," it said in a statement

Television pictures showed roads in the busy area of the city were closed off to traffic.

The Metropolitan Police said nobody was injured in the blaze, which is being probed by fire investigators.

Small groups of guests were allowed back into the hotel at 3am this morning in what the brigade described as a "phased reoccupation".

The Silver Clef awards are a charity event organised annually to support the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy centre.

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