Lebanon:
Lebanon is still a mess. Sixteen years of civil war are not easily gotten over, after all. And in the south, along the border with Israel, the Israeli army frequently clashes with Hezbollah militia.
The question is whether Israel is going to leave its "secure zone" and go home. Until it does this, there will be more bloodshed. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is still trying to rebuild after the war, which officially ended in 1989.
Tourism, a huge part of the economy before the war, has not returned to Lebanon in a big way, although the government has been putting a lot of effort into building hotels and promoting Lebanon among foreigners as a perfect holiday spot for culture, dining, entertainment, and recreation. Top spots to visit include: Aanjar, Beirut, Byblos, Baalbeck, The Cedars, Beiteddine, Jeita Grotto, Sidon, Tyre, and Zahlé.
Lebanon.com: Upbeat site tells you why you should go to Lebanon and what to do there.
This page last updated February 21, 2000.