You know, I live in the Detroit area, and we have a large community of Arab Americans, many of which are Lebanese. Beruit used to be known as the vacation paradise of the mediteranean, and still has nice beaches and a nice summer climate. Many Lebanese American families summer vacation in Lebanon once school lets out here in Michigan, visiting family members and friends. There were also alot of Europeans there, that their gov'ts got out, who like to spend their July vacation on Lebanon's beaches. Beruit has changed for the better since the factional strife in the 1980's, and was on track to recovery. Hizbollah is a faction that's as difficult for them to deal with as for Israel. Lebanon has a new government, and has just gotten Syria out. That was progress for them. Before this came down, which was quite unannounced and unplanned, Beruit was pretty quite. Some of these US citizens are students at the American University, studying abroad. Don't consider them ignorant for going there, they had no idea this was going to come down this vacation. Alot of families here are really worried about getting their kids and loved ones home.
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