I will always hold a sweet spot for Beirut. Back in 1972, '73 and early '74 while working in Kuwait (think oklahoma, no booze, nothing) our weekend getaway was Libon. Flying Kuwait Airways (again, no liquor) and landing in Beirut I noticed troops everywhere and tanks and artillery all around the airport and runways. Nevertheless, we arrived at the super smart Phoenician Hotel which had swim up mermaids (live ones) in the swimming pool bar staring at us through the plexiglass windows. I later learned the hotel was leveled in the Civil War. A night up in the Cedars at the Casino was just what I needed. A quick trip south to Sidon and Tyre with a driver (who had a big assed weapon). As I toured the ancient Phoenician grounds by myself around the ruins Israeli jet aircraft swooped low enough and fast enough to scare off my driver.
A few hours later thankfully he returned as I had no clue how I was to get back to Beirut other than a camel. We stopped at a bar on the way back to Sidon and just as we crossed the Litani River I spotted a hole in the wall bar. I wanted a drink. The driver told me we were in the Arab Partitioned dry side of Libon. I asked if the could get me a coke then instead. He informed me you cannot drink coke in Arab world only Pepsi. As I started to exit his car he told me to get back inside. We were in the area of shall we say anti Ugly American. He retrieved my Pepsi and we headed back to the hotel. This was repeated many weekends (Friday-Saturday in Arab world) in Beirut proper. I didn't vernture outside the city any more except up in the hills to the Casino. I learned Libon had never had a recent census taken. The Government required a Christian President and a Muslim something. The Christians knew they were badly outnumbered and would never allow a census. Sort of sounds like America today lol. Anyway I loved the place, still do, and hated to watch them rip themselves apart in a Civil War with the damned Christians/Hezbollah/Syria and every other devil on our planet.