Salim Karam

{{Infobox officeholder| name = Salim Bey Karam
{{lang|ar|سليم بك كرم}}

| nationality =Lebanese

| image =Salim Bey Karam.jpg

| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1946|05|21}}

| birth_place =Zgharta, Lebanon

| alma_mater = American University of Beirut

| order1 =Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lebanon

| term_start1 =7 June 2009

| term_end1 =21 May 2018

| primeminister1= {{List collapsed|title=See list|1={{plain list|

Saad Hariri (2009-2011)
Najib Mikati (2011-2014)
Tammam Salam

}}

| order2 =Minister of State in Lebanese government

| term_start2 =13 June 2011

| term_end2 =15 February 2014

| primeminister2 = Najib Mikati

| spouse = Marina Nabih Chammas

| relations = Youssef Salim Karam (father)

| children = Rita, Christina

|}}

Salim Bey Karam ({{langx|ar|سليم بك كرم}}; born on May 21, 1946\ was a Minister of State in the Lebanese government. He was a Member of the 2009-2017 Parliament for the Maronite seat of Zgharta in North Lebanon.{{cite news|url=http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=281320|title=Lebanon announces cabinet line-up|date=13 June 2011|work=The Marada News|accessdate=16 June 2011}}

Early life and education

Salim Bey Karam was born in Zgharta on May 21, 1946. He is the fourth son of politician and former MP Youssef Salim Karam.[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I28&tree=ehden Youssef Salim Bey Karam on Ehden Family Tree website] His mother was Mariette Tarabay.[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I544&tree=ehden Mariette Tarabay on Ehden Family Tree website] His father was a Member of Parliament during (1943-1947), (1947-1953), (1960-1964). His grandfather, Salim Bey Mikhael Bey Karam,[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I13&tree=ehden Salim Bey Karam on Ehden Family Tree website] was District Governor of Ehden (1898-1900).

He is a direct descendant of a brother of the famous national Lebanese hero Youssef Bey Karam.[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I1&tree=ehden Youssef Bey Karam on Ehden Family Tree website]

Karam was educated at De La Salle School in Tripoli and International College of Beirut. He went to American University of Beirut, graduating with a Business Degree. He has had a career in commerce and agriculture.

Political career

File:Salim Karam with President Michel Aoun.jpg

Salim Karam has been the leader of the Karam Family League since 1973 after the step down of his older brother Assaad Bey[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I81&tree=ehden Assaad Bey Karam on Ehden Family Tree website] (after 1972 Parliamentary Elections). He was a member of the High Political Leadership Council of Zgharta during 1975-76 Lebanese Civil War.

He was staunchly opposed to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon in the 1990s; however, today with the withdrawal of Syrian Armies from Lebanon he supports equal bi-lateral relations with Syria with the strict condition Syria does not interfere in Lebanese politics.

Karam was a candidate in the General Elections of 1996, 2000 and 2005 and boycotted the 1992 elections in line with the wishes of General Michel Aoun

During the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections of 7 June 2009, Salim Bey Karam was elected for the 1st time as a Member of Parliament for the Maronite seat of Zgharta-Zawyieh. He won the seat along with his two running partners Suleiman Frangieh, Jr[https://www.ehdenfamilytree.org/getperson.php?personID=I252&tree=ehden Sleiman Frangieh on Ehden Family Tree website] and Estephan El Douaihy.{{cite news|url=http://marada-news.org/?q=node/2292|title=El Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, former minister Estephan Douaihy and Salim Bey Karam addressed economists|date=22 May 2009|work=The Marada News|accessdate=20 April 2011}}

He was appointed minister of state in June 2011. He is part of the March 8 coalition and the Change and Reform bloc in Najib Mikati's cabinet.