About Beirut
The latter half of the 20th century was extremely tumultuous for Beirut, a city which became the battleground for a bloody Civil War that claimed thousands of lives. The Green Line separating the Muslim West from the Christian East is still clearly identifiable by the lush vegetation sprawling across this once no man's land, and sobering war memorials, such as the decrepit Holiday Inn hotel which only saw one year in operation preceding the start of the Civil War, serve testimony to the horrors experienced by locals a mere three decades ago. Visitors to Beirut will benefit greatly from taking a guided city tour designed to provide a deeper understanding of the historical and political context. Today's Beirut is a much safer and more secure place with a distinctive buzz and joie de vivre, but do remain vigilant if you plan to set out exploring on your own and make sure the city's volatile southern suburbs do not sneak their way onto your itinerary.
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