White Man Impressed: Booze flows freely in Beirut

"Political candidates vigorously debate the issues, including the possibility of normalizing ties with Israel. Beirut, a war zone not so long ago, once again feels like the Paris of the Middle East. Fashionably dressed young people party late into the night at bars and clubs where the booze flows freely. There are more burkas visible in London than in Beirut." Correct me if I am wrong--and I am never wrong--but didn't this writer fly to Beirut and stay at the expense of the Hariri family? Shouldn't the LA Times not mention that? Also, tell this writer who does not know Arabic and who can't follow debates on TV that it is not true: nobody in Lebanon is publicly calling for normalization with Israel. But as long as "booze flows freely", the White Man is impressed. (thanks Dina)