[El Gato]

Probably started when the men discovered their women looked better veiled.

That's not true in general. At least when young, some of them are quite beautiful. But they live a hard life, and tend to get "rode hard and put up wet" way too many times. Look at Helen Thomas, if you can, and then compare and contrast with Marlo Thomas. Saving everyone's eye's I'll just link to Marlo. Margo and Helen are both of Arab ancestry, Christian Lebanese.

Marlo in 1970 at 33

Marlo in 1983 at 46

Marlo in 2005 at 68

She has of course aged, we all do, but not badly.

Of course Helen didn't start off as nice looking as Margo either, but hardly the crone she is today. She was rode hard and put up wet way too many times, or at least she looks that way.

Hellen at 39 or 40 in 1960. (Yes she is now 87 years old, 88 in August!) One more example of Lebanese Christian Arab women.

[Mr. Mojo]

The article is speaking of certain populations in Gulf states, which of course doesn't include Lebanon.

But you're quite right about Lebanon having no shortage of beauties.

[Cronos]

hey, and Irani women are drop dead gorgeous as well..