Lebanon in pictures

A bride speeds north past Jounieh Bay towards her future Photograph: Max Milligan

The Mohammed Al Amin Mosque was built by the assassinated Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. Its enormity and position on the former green line that separated Muslim and Christian Beirut during the civil war, are controversial with some Christians Photograph: Max Milligan

The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek is one of the world's most impressive archaeological sights Photograph: Max Milligan

Goatherds appear from every direction along mountain passes on the day the milk is sold Photograph: Max Milligan

Ice sculpted by the rain and wind Photograph: Max Milligan

Couples line the road down to Jounieh Bay with argileh smoke noisily bursting through the bubbles Photograph: Max Milligan

The smell of fresh meat and the glow of charcoal add to the atmosphere of any gathering Photograph: Max Milligan

Baalbek, or Heliopolis as the Romans named it, is the largest Roman temple on Earth and has the tallest columns Photograph: Max Milligan

Tyre harbour Photograph: Max Milligan

One promontory north of Harissa gives the best uninterrupted view of Jounieh Bay Photograph: Max Milligan

Bcharré has the look of a model town at sunset, dwarfed by the landscape of the Kadisha Valley Photograph: Max Milligan

The Hope for Peace Monument at the Ministry of Defence in Beirut was a tribute to 50 years of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Created by French artist Arman in 1995, it stands 32 metres high Photograph: Max Milligan

Pigeon Rock stands below Raouché corniche, one of the emblematic symbols of Beirut Photograph: Max Milligan

The museum at Baalbek is beautifully conceived and it is a pleasure to see objects at the location where they belong, rather than having to go to the National Museum Photograph: Max Milligan

Charity Ball at Lady Cochrane's Sursoch Palace, Beirut Photograph: Max Milligan

Faqra. The civil war from 1975 to 1990 created an exodus, leaving houses standing empty to this day. Wars have occurred here in every period of history dating back through Ottomans, Mameluks, Crusaders, Saladin and the Romans who left Qalaat Faqra in the wake of their period in power Photograph: Max Milligan