beirut. but me, i came here to explore a beautiful but fragile city and i came right here, to the physical, mental and symbolic border between east and west during the civil war, the former green line. my journey in beirut starts here. - where does one even begin to discuss the urban challenges facing the ancient city of beirut? even though the civil war ended nearly 30 years ago, its repercussions have left permanent scars on the city. the bloody conflict that plagued lebanon from 1975 to 1990 killed some 145,000 people, severely injured more than 100 000 and displaced over a million. it essentially brought the country to its knees. the power struggles that led to the war are deeply rooted in complex and ever-changing alliances. it's not simply a sectarian conflict. regardless of the cause, citizens were held hostage as bombings and bulls fr snipers wreaked havoc across lebanon. beirut took centre stage, acting as a dividing line between muslims and christians. even though p and re-establish itself as a thriving capital, it's difficult to say how long peace will last. many of the people linked to the civil war are still tied to the gover

withdrew their ambassador from beirut last month, angered by government minister who criticized the saudi led war in yemen. the minister resigned on friday. farmers in west enough canister have just finished harvesting flowers that produce saffron is the world's most expensive spice. and the crop offers hope in the country. petering on the brink of economic disaster. from mcbride reports from the western province of haddocks. in the fields of hair at the end of the saffron harvesting, is often marked by children from nearby villages coming to pick what's left for pocket money. for there is real value in the small purple flowers of the crocus family that yield the world's most expensive spice. since its introduction from neighboring iran, saffron cultivation has boomed in this province in recent years, and its value to afghanistan given its current economic plight, has never been more important. for saffron produces the turmoil of the taliban takeover has caused disruption for the shipping and banking services they need for exports. but they say at least there isn't the same corruption they faced under the old government method can make on the problems of