Syria

"The meeting place for Arab businessmen in the early '70s was "The Paris of the Middle East," Beirut. The Lebanese trading traditions were an important factor, as was Beirut's role as the financial center of the region. All major banks had an office in the capital of Lebanon. But just as important were Beirut's beaches, the modern hotels, and the bustling nightlife. It acted like a magnet on men from the still orthodox and almost dry countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and partly Turkey."

"The most important contract for the expatriate Lebanese involved shipping four to five million tons of oil from Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, to Greece. Later, they secured a similar mission, where they were to transport 250,000 tons of oil per month from Saudi Arabia to Syria. Ordinary persuasion was not enough to secure the Syria job, but when a centrally placed contact was presented with a white bulletproof Rolls Royce, the Syrians became more receptive. Thus, the tankers went on shuttle traffic from the Persian Gulf, and money began to flow in. Over the next few years, up to 40 tankers were involved in this oil shipping, and Northern Shipping was the exclusive broker."