Lebanon on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea; a narrow strip of territory , the world’s smaller sovereign states. On August 4th, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate — exploded in port of Beirut shaking much of Lebanon. The massive explosion wiped out half of the city. No one knows who owned the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate shipments, who sent it, or who stored that much explosive for six years in an old warehouse in a port near one of the most exclusive residential areas in Beirut. “The countdown to catastrophe in Beirut started over six years ago when a troubled, Russian-leased cargo ship made an unscheduled stop at the city’s port.” Reported the Times. But the Catastrophe started much earlier. Lebanon is a very confusing country the only democratic country where people have the right to hate and kill each other. I have a Love-hate relationship with Lebanon, lots of people do. Lebanon, the Paris of the Arab world, a small tiny country that prides itself on being the only non-Arab like Arab country. A country built on troubled shaky foundations, a country where Western colonists left it as a reminder of what could become of Arabs if they seek a western democratic pretense. Lebanon at one time was a hub for Arab refugees, a center for culturally and politically homeless Arabs and the inspired Arab writers, artists, freedom fighters and lovers. Growing up in Egypt in the 60’s Lebanon was a place for young Arabs to escape, a place to achieve our lost dreams, a faraway place full of possibilities, a welcoming place for all broken hearts, and curious minds. If you couldn’t go to your favorite college at home, you went to Lebanon to get it, if you couldn’t find a dream job you went to Lebanon to get rich.