This mock inspection of a huge frigate by a tiny patrol boat in Beirut's harbour is a far cry from the seafaring prowess of the ancient Phoenicians that many Lebanese always keep banging on about. The Lebanese 'navy' has just a trio of tiny patrol boats donated from a German WWII museum. So, who does the international community send to patrol the waters off Lebanon for the UNIFIL peacekeepers and to assist the sealegless Phoenicians? The Belgians, who else? But no worries - there is no evidence at all so far that arms get smuggled into Lebanon by sea, well at least none have been found...more

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