REVIEW AND ANALYSIS 33 Commemoration Reconstruction and memorialisation of the war needs to be an inclusive process that brings together as many voices as possible. Lebanon has struggled to deal with its past, and so redevelopment has felt more often like erasure rather than recovery. The peace process did not allow for much real examination of what had happened, and even places of great significance in the war are unmarked. Furthermore, the memories of those who left Beirut and take many years to return will be quite different from those who stayed and endured the full hardships of the war, and finding appropriate memorials after conflict can be a struggle. Amnesia and amnesty have been the choices of the powerful in Lebanon, but not always of the victims of war and their families. Even if memories cannot be addressed right after a war, there still should be some effort to document what happened in order to address these issues in the future. Lebanon shows us that erasure is not the solution. Rebuilding cannot hide what happened. Addressing cultural diversity in reconciliation Few private corporations are known for their inclusiveness or sensitivity to the needs of women or minorities. Solidère, for example, did not have a single woman on its board. It does have eleven Lebanese men, all with backgrounds in business, finance or law. The narrowness of decision making in the private sector and the lack of transparency or processes of appeal make it an unsuitable mechanism in a post-conflict society. Building local capacities Local expertise and capacities in the field of heritage protection and management in times of conflict, is essential. In times of conflict, local specialists can be mobilised to protect and salvage sites and collections of significant value. Their expertise, connections and local knowledge are essential. As an example, the National Museum of Beirut, which was located right on the Green Line, is indebted to the secretive and thoughtful actions of the then Director of Antiquities, Emir Maurice Chehab. When galleries were transformed into military barracks and bunkers, larger objects too heavy to be removed were shielded with concrete caissons that were built around them. Smaller pieces were moved down to the basement. All works remained sealed until the war ended. LOOKING AHEAD The destruction caused by war, or indeed by any major disaster, offers a unique opportunity to gather extensive knowledge and evidence about a city’s past. Time and time again the opportunities in Beirut have not been fully utilised because the importance of the role of archaeology and conservation in post-conflict recovery is not generally appreciated by other sectors. Culture and cultural heritage should be at the heart of any post-conflict recovery process. Post-war recovery is a long and arduous process and there are no quick fixes – it should not be rushed. There are no templates to follow and each city presents a different context and requires a tailored approach. Nevertheless, the reconstruction of Beirut presents a reflection on conditions that can be greatly learnt from. Other war-ravaged cities in the Arab world, such as Aleppo, Mosul and Sana’a, or elsewhere such as Ukraine, will need to plan strategies, codes and legislations to rebuild and conserve damaged heritage sites in the near future. Although difficult to enforce in the immediate aftermath of war, such strategies will help in the reconciliation and recovery administration. Processes should be adapted to meet the needs of the local population as well as public and private investors, and they should leave space for reflecting the iconic nature of such cities. More importantly there must be active opportunities for participation from affected communities. Postwar recovery efforts need to help the city reconfirm a sense of identity and allow its citizens to regain control and confidence in the future. Recovery of cultural heritage is an important step in that process and should not only be confined to physical rebuilding, but should also incorporate social and economic recovery. 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