 The destruction of the souks affected Christian and Muslim merchants alike.The battle of the souks lasted for 2 and half months until December 1975 before extending to the residential area of Ras Beirut
During the spring of 1983, the Antoun Bey Khan, a historic caravanserai and a landmark of the souks was demolished to clear the view towards the sea.Reconstruction of Beirut's central district began as soon as the guns fell silent in 1991.