Beirut:

Shia vs Phalangist militia men (Kataeb Party, secular but supported by

Maronite Christians). This was basically Christian vs Muslim,
o Christians mostly settled on eastern part of city (also nationalist),
Muslims on southern and western (PLO and Pan Arab)
o Mixed districts existed near commercial zones.
o City was pluralistic but ethnically segregated
o Eastern wall of citadel was a threshold that shaped all subsequent
phases of the citys growth
These spatial segregations would later become physical
partitions in Beirut
Martyrs Square established the citys north-south axis
o Urban-rural, commercial-residential, military-nonmilitary
o Influx of populations put stress on balance
Maronites from the mountains starting in the 1870s, but chose
to live outside the city to avoid ottoman regulations formed
homogenous eastern bloc
o When Lebanon got independence, the 5:6 ratio of non-Muslim to
Muslim was formally adopted
The govt strove to protect this privilege
Palestinians were not offered fully citizenship, for example
o During the 1956-58 conflict, a physical demarcation in central Beirut
had been established by armed opponents of Presidnet Cahmoun
This was the first sign of religious groups taking sides
Most assumed this was just fringe groups and would be
extinguished quickly
But by 1975, downtown Beirut was deserted and devoid of
commercial activity
Several crossing points, but no mans land in between
o To this day, many people still limit their crossing over the Green Line
Left a psychological mark on the city
The Israeli incursion only certain parts of the city bombed

City was once physically and psychologically divided by Green Line(9 km long
and 18-90 m wide) through which militias would fight.
People still bitter, angry, and sad about the war lost childhood, children,
many lost years.