Prostitution, a growing industry in Lebanon

Prostitution in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:country-region></st1:place> is always subject to popular misconceptions. You think nearly naked woman, half drunk, walking down the dark streets of downtown <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Beirut</st1:place></st1:City>, dreading to leave the pavement in search for her next conquest. This form of prostitution is just a little representation of the Lebanese sex industry. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Prostitution or “the world’s oldest profession” is rapidly expanding, now reaching young beautiful women-aged between 18 and 28 years old, who wish to make extra pocket money to buy expensive cars, clothes, accessories etc. From college students and models to TV hosts and popular artists, girls are getting more and more engaged in prostitution. <o:p></o:p>

Once they get hooked up with an agent, they fill out forms or give out their CVs. These forms are handed as catalogs that include pictures and distributed to employees and concierges of luxurious hotels, to be eventually handed to potential clients. Rich men, politicians and businessmen, particularly Arabs, are the most popular ones. They fly all the way to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region> to engage in sexual activities. <o:p></o:p>

Lebanese prostitution is present right in the middle of the day in restaurants, coffee shops and even via the mobile- basically in downtown <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Beirut</st1:place></st1:City>. Call girls don't hesitate to call men up, several times, using a private number. If a woman answers the phone, they pretend they dialed the wrong number or hang up. Their services usually vary between 500 and 1000 $, but can reach 8000 $ with VIP prostitutes.<o:p></o:p>

When the sun sets on the capital, these women head to Super nightclubs and bars, wearing revealing outfits. Super nightclubs are mostly located in Kaslik, Jounieh and Maameltein and bars in Gemmayze and Hamra.<o:p></o:p>

The Internet is also one of the most popular mediums for prostitution. The girls post their pictures and personal information- most of the time fake or beautified, and when the meeting occurs, they make their clients understand that they are ready to do everything they ask for in exchange for their money. Some website even quote: “Do you want to f**** now in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:place></st1:country-region>”.<o:p></o:p>

Prostitution is legal and brothels licensed by the Lebanese government. However, women must take medical tests to ensure their health. Since 1936, he government has tried to prevent more brothels from being legalized in hopes to decrease these activities.