Lebanon is undoubtedly a place of contrasts. In the span of just a few short days, fighting across Beirut had turned into partying in the streets. With the election of the Lebanese Army general Michel Suleiman to the presidency on this day (a seat that has sat open for months), a palpable sense of hope for Lebanon could be seen in Beruit. We were admittedly surprised by how quickly huge banners for the new president were put up.