Tourist Lost in Beirut in 2004 Reunites With Policeman Who Helped Him 21 Years Later
In 2004, long before Google Maps, a tourist exploring Beirut found himself lost during a city tour organized for UNIFIL soldiers. Confused and slightly off track, Capt. Amrit Koijam was approached by a kind Lebanese policeman who took the time to help him find his way.
That simple act of help left a lasting impression.
At the time, Koijam later recalled, “This Lebanese police officer, a kind gentleman, helped us navigate the right direction after we got somewhat off track in Beirut. This was during one of the city tours for the soldiers of UNIFIL.”
Fast forward 21 years. After Koijam shared the story on social media, his post unexpectedly reached the very same officer: Tony Tannoury. The two reconnected online, spoke at length, shared laughs, stories from Beirut’s streets, and quickly realized they had a shared sense of humor and outlook on life. Koijam later updated his post on December 31, 2025, writing that after the story went viral, Tony reached out directly. What followed was a long conversation and the beginning of a genuine friendship, reignited more than two decades after a brief roadside encounter.
Adding an extra layer of emotion to the story, Tony’s son also commented on the post, confirming the reunion with pride:
“I’m so honored that that is indeed my father 😆!! He is a kind and compassionate man with a great soul ❤️ What a coincidence 🙌”
What started as a brief encounter between a lost tourist and a helpful policeman has now become a reminder of how small acts of kindness can echo through time and how social media, for all its flaws, can sometimes do something truly beautiful.
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