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How graffiti artists turned former warring areas into a giant artwork for peace

Updated 1539 GMT (2339 HKT) November 28, 2017

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Salam -- the Arabic word for peace -- is spelled out across the roofs of buildings in the Bab-al-Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods of Tripoli, Lebanon.
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Salam -- the Arabic word for peace -- is spelled out across the roofs of buildings in the Bab-al-Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods of Tripoli, Lebanon.
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The project was created and overseen by graffiti artists Mohamed and Omar Kabbani.
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The project was created and overseen by graffiti artists Mohamed and Omar Kabbani.
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The identical twin brothers from the Lebanese capital of Beirut spent three years planning the project.
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The identical twin brothers from the Lebanese capital of Beirut spent three years planning the project.
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Omar (left) and Mohamed Kabbani on a rooftop in Tripoli.
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Omar (left) and Mohamed Kabbani on a rooftop in Tripoli.
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The pair chose Bab-al-Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen as the location for Operation Salam given the history of sectarian violence between the two neighborhoods.
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The pair chose Bab-al-Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen as the location for Operation Salam given the history of sectarian violence between the two neighborhoods.
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Bab-al-Tibbaneh is majority Sunni Muslim while Jabal Mohsen is predominantly Alawite Muslim.
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Bab-al-Tibbaneh is majority Sunni Muslim while Jabal Mohsen is predominantly Alawite Muslim.
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Many buildings in the neighborhoods remain pockmarked with bullet holes from fighting which has flared over the years.
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Many buildings in the neighborhoods remain pockmarked with bullet holes from fighting which has flared over the years.
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Mohamed (right) and Omar Kabbani look at plans for their Operation Salam artwork.
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Mohamed (right) and Omar Kabbani look at plans for their Operation Salam artwork.
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Spread over 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) and 85 structures, Operation Salam was completed at the end of October.
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Spread over 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) and 85 structures, Operation Salam was completed at the end of October.
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A birds eye view of Operation Salam during painting.
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A birds eye view of Operation Salam during painting.
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The Kabbani brothers were helped by about 50 local residents.
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The Kabbani brothers were helped by about 50 local residents.
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Men paint a roof in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon, as part of the Operation Salam graffiti project.
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Men paint a roof in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon, as part of the Operation Salam graffiti project.
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Mohamed and Omar Kabbani say the word "salam" is synonymous with tolerance, enlightenment and prosperity -- qualities they hope their country will see more of in the near future.
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Mohamed and Omar Kabbani say the word "salam" is synonymous with tolerance, enlightenment and prosperity -- qualities they hope their country will see more of in the near future.
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Lebanese graffiti artists Mohamed and Omar Kabbani have painted a huge message on the rooftops of Tripoli.