Why did Beirut become an important port under the Mamluks?

Under Mamluk rule, Beirut became an important port primarily because it served as the chief port of call in Syria for spice merchants arriving from Venice.1

Following the expulsion of the Crusaders in 1291, the Mamluk administration actively encouraged commerce throughout the region. This policy, combined with the city's strategic location, allowed Beirut to flourish as a vital maritime hub for international trade.12