📖 About Beirut

Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, a Mediterranean cultural and commercial center with over 5,000 years of history. Known as the "Paris of the Middle East" before the 1975-1990 civil war, the city has repeatedly rebuilt itself from destruction. In January 2025, Parliament elected President Joseph Aoun, and February 2025 saw a new Cabinet formed under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, ending a government lapse of over two years.

The World Bank's March 2025 Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated reconstruction and recovery needs at US$11 billion, covering damage from the October 2023-December 2024 conflict period. Housing suffered most with US$4.6 billion in damages, while commerce, industry, and tourism losses reached US$3.4 billion. Of this amount, US$3-5 billion requires public financing, with US$6-8 billion needed from private sources.

In June 2025, the World Bank approved US$250 million for the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP), structured as a US$1 billion scalable framework. Lebanon's real GDP is projected to grow 4.7% in 2025, supported by reform progress, tourism recovery, and capital inflows. An IMF mission in May-June 2025 initiated discussions on an economic reform program, with bank restructuring identified as a critical priority.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Lebanon's economy is recovering from cumulative GDP decline of nearly 40% since 2019. The 2025 projection of 4.7% growth signals fragile stabilization following the new government formation. The $11 billion reconstruction need highlights the scale of conflict damage, with housing and commerce sectors most affected. IMF engagement on reform programs and World Bank emergency financing represent crucial external support.

Beirut's culture blends Arab, French, and Mediterranean influences. The city is renowned for its nightlife, cuisine, and arts scene—traditions that persist despite economic crisis. Sectarian diversity—Sunni, Shia, Christian, and Druze communities—shapes political and social life. Music, literature, and cuisine continue traditions dating back millennia. The 2025 political breakthrough after two years without a functioning government offers hope for cultural revival alongside economic reconstruction.

📜 History

Beirut's origins date to the Bronze Age, with Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Crusader, and Ottoman layers of civilization. The city prospered as a Roman law school center and later as an Ottoman provincial capital. French Mandate rule (1920-1943) left lasting cultural influence. Independent Lebanon positioned Beirut as the region's banking and cultural capital—the "Paris of the Middle East."

The 1975-1990 civil war devastated the city, followed by reconstruction under the Solidere project. The 2006 war with Israel, 2020 port explosion that killed 218 people, and the 2019 economic collapse tested the city's resilience. The October 2023-December 2024 conflict added $11 billion in damage. The January 2025 election of President Aoun and formation of the Salam government represent political breakthrough after years of paralysis, opening possibilities for systematic reconstruction.