Beirut, capital of Lebanon, is located in the middle of Lebanon's coast line. It is the biggest city of the country with a population of 1,7 millions in 2000. In 1920 Beirut was administrated under French mandatory authorities. After the second world war in 1948, Palestinian-Israeli war brought important influx of Palestinian refugees who are located in camps west of the city. During the 60th Beirut became an important banking center for the middle-east. With economic liberalism and a cosmopolitan population the city was seen as the most westernized place in the region. It was called "little Paris of the middle-east".

Despite economic success, religious tension never disappeared in a country where Christians and Muslims are nearly in equal numbers. This tension became open conflict during the civil war (1975-1991). During the 70th the city became the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) headquarter. Israeli invasion of Lebanon and following U.N. intervention in 1982 forced the organization to retreat to Tunisia. The city was divided by a green line in 1984 which separated the Muslim west and the Christian east. The center of Beirut was nearly completely destroyed during this period. Since the Ta'ef agreements in 1990 which where not accepted by all parties, Beirut tries to regain its former position. An important plan of reconstruction of 20 years was installed.

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Beirut Center (640*480) 101Kb

Beirut Center (640*480) 63Kb

Beirut Center (640*480) 89Kb

Reconstruction Program (640*480) 76Kb

Beirut Center (640*480) 52Kb

Damaged Building (640*480) 50Kb

Reconstruction Program (640*480) 67Kb

Place de l'Etoile (465*665) 119Kb

Place de l'Etoile (800*600) 158Kb