Not sure if you consider Lebanon typically "Arab" as there is much European influence, the Christian sector consider themselves more European than Arabian, the history is Phonecian with a lot of Roman influence, and it's placed in EURCOM as far as military strategy is concerned.

That said - GREAT food. Beautiful Meditteranean, snow topped mountains, cedars, Roman ruins, incredible night life (consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world), friendly people, one of the oldest cities in the world (Byblos), casinos, completely renovated and glitzy shopping areas that outdo 5th Avenue and compare well with Paris, and a very Western feel as far as dress and attitude. Very few in Islamic dress - certainly no more than London or Paris. Did I mention drop dead GOURGEOUS women?

It is a very open society with very few restirctions. These people really know how to live.

negative? - Traffic in Beirut sucks.

Egypt is great, between the Pyramids and Saqarra (temple district down south, by Luxor). Jordan has alot of interesting places (Petra and Amman among them).

I was in Egypt in the late 70's (as a tourist) and felt very safe, and again in 87 (having fun in the desert). In Jordan, I found it a bit more difficult to talk to the locals than in Egypt, but still adequately friendly, at least for tourist purposes. In niether place I have any concerns about anything other than getting "tourist prices" at the souk.

Those are not the only options, just the ones I know from personal experience. Check around. I'm sure just about any country in the area has something to offer.

I seen Lebanon on Travel Channel and it seemed VERY different from the rest of the Middle East, very westernized, good night life, place I'd like to visit sometime.