Lebanon

Overview

Land, water and mountain activities alongside such a number of historical sites mean that both the active and rather calmer visitors to Lebanon will probably find themselves very busy. There are instances where activities and culture can be combined. Diving allows views of submerged Phoenician ruins near Tyre and Sidon. Climbing is one way of accessing the hermitages and monasteries cut into steep cliffs. Walking allows the retracing of the steps of the Maronite Christians along the Qadisha Valley. Al-Shouf Ceder Reserve and Mount Lebanon and their surrounding areas provide extensive strenuous and sedate outdoor fun, without overlooking the six areas where skiing takes place, including the Ceders, Faqra and Qanat Bakiche.

Only a few of the cultural experiences can be mentioned as there are so many. The Manluke monuments of Tripoli, the temples of Baalbeck, the varied ruins at Byblos, the enormous Roman hippodrome at Tyre and the Sidon sea castle are just some of the wonders waiting to be discovered.

History

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization, retains its weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Damascus justified its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however, encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. Following the assassination of former president Rafiq Hariri (in which Syria has been implicated), the remainder of the Syrian forces finally withdrew from Lebanon in April of 2005.