Sand, snow, thunderstorms wreak Mideast havoc

Image 1 of 10: Syrians play with snow in Damascus as the Syrian capital was lashed by a snowstorm which disrupted traffic but brought some relief from a drought which has gripped the country for the past four years.

Image 1 of 10: Cars drive amid fog covering Cairo. A sandstorm, strong winds and lashing rains swept across Egypt, closing several ports and disrupting traffic in the Suez Canal while at least three people died in a factory collapse in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, officials said.

Image 1 of 10: A Lebanese forest ranger observes the sunset from the cedar trees reserve of Baruk in the Shouf mountains, southeast of Beirut, following a snow storm and cold wave which hit the east Mediterranean country after several months of drought.

Image 1 of 10: A Lebanese man walks on a snow-covered peak at the cedar trees reserve of Baruk southeast in the Shouf mountains, southeast of Beirut.

Image 1 of 10: Traffic moves slowly in both directions on the main highway linking Beirut to Damascus near the mountain village of Sawfar during a snow storm which hit the Mediterranean country.

Image 1 of 10: Waves smash into breakers protecting the Roman-era port of Caesarea after a massive storm battering the eastern Mediterranean destroyed the breakers threatening to wash away the historic site, Israeli officials said.

Image 1 of 10: Waves smash into breakers protecting the Roman-era port of Caesarea after a massive storm battering the eastern Mediterranean destroyed the breakers threatening to wash away the historic site, Israeli officials said.

Image 1 of 10: A picture shows a section of the Roman-era port of Caesarea after a massive storm battering the eastern Mediterranean destroyed the breakers protecting the ancient port city threatening to wash away the historic site, Israeli officials said.

Image 1 of 10: Palestinian boys jump from the top of a sand pile at the beach in Gaza City as they play outdoors during sunset, following storms and heavy rain that poured over the impoverished territory after months of drought.