FROM Iraq, with . . . love songs? Kazem Al-Sahir - the Iraqi-born pop singer described as an Arabic superstar of "Elvis and Sinatra" magnitude - kicks off a U.S. tour tonight at the Beacon Theater.

He'll be performing love songs like "Ana wa Laila" ("Me and Laila") - which aced Cher's "Believe" to hit the No. 6 spot on the BBC's Top 10 of world music - all sung in Arabic and backed by a 15-piece orchestra of Middle East-born musicians.

"His message is one of peace or hope," says Dawn Elder, his Santa Barbara, Calif.-based manager. "He feels that in good times and bad, we still need music. And with all the things you hear about weapons of mass destruction, we need a break."- Barbara Hoffman