“We are staying,” read some signs in the famous nightlife district of Mar Mikhael, one of the worst-hit neighbourhoods. If Beirut is a phoenix, it has already endured too much, they say: civil war; war with Israel; incompetent and corrupt governments; huge protests, the coronavirus and now this. Although they were traditionally Christian neighbourhoods, Mar Mikhael, Gemmayzeh and the surrounding areas attracted young Lebanese of different religious backgrounds, as well as foreigners and tourists, to its bars, cafes and art galleries. To him, the houses in the neighbourhood — and throughout Beirut — represent the tolerant, diverse, sophisticated country that Lebanon was meant to be. “We take care of it for future generations.”Roderick Cochrane added: “Mar Mikhael and Gemmayzeh should remain a place for Lebanese, for small designers, small shops, small business owners.

Source: bd News24 October 12, 2020 04:41 UTC