Throughout the civil war, much of the fighting took place within the capital Beirut. The busy central area of the city became a siege of intense struggle and destruction, and as abundant greenery took over, it literally became a 'green' separation line dividing Muslim West Beirut from Christian East Beirut. Fighting across the green line destroyed the historical heart of one of the world’s oldest cities. Over 300,000 houses suffered serious damage and mosques, churches and public buildings were devastated during the 15 years of the conflict.

 

The destruction of this shared cultural heritage, sectarian violence and the internal displacement of those escaping the violence led to a huge loss of Lebanon’s cultural and social fabric. The conflict continues to impact society with widening social and economic inequality.