Describe symbolism in From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman

Beirut represents something to Arabs everywhere and this is the idea that the different factions and different Middle Eastern groups could live together and live together successfully. This is the dream that is dying in Beirut. This is what Friedman dubs the Levantine political idea. This is symbolized at the city center in Beirut where the different sects and groups have shops that co-exist next to one another.