David Betts steadied the ship after a bad patch of violence in Beirut

Dave and Patricia Betts came to Beirut together in 1983 to steady the ship after the bureau had been through a bad patch of violence. It was a dangerous time and it was an assignment that at Dave's stage of the game he probably didn't have to take. They did it none the less. They were so calm and collected that just by being there they made things better. Darker days lay ahead yet Dave's affable reassurance would make you think Mrs Moon's had been transported to Hamra Street. One night they were hosting a dinner at their apartment in West Beirut when two loud explosions went off outside, shaking the building. Dave raised an eyebrow and poured a whisky. The next day a previously unknown group called “The Organisation of the Sharp Sword” claimed responsibility. I think we gave it a paragraph. ■