The current (October, 2004) issue of National Geographic magazine has
an article entitled "Who were the Phoenicians?"  The closest to
Phlebas they get though is right at the end, "And so--for the time
being, at least--the Phoenicians remain glorious ghosts."

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature2/index.html

Regards,
    Rick Parker