Omar Karami, Former Prime Minister, fromer tripoli MP

Place and Date of Birth: Born in Al Nouri, Tripoli, on May 1, 1935. Son of Tripoli leader and Lebanon independence hero Abduhamid Karami. Brother of many-time prime minister Rashid Karami, who was assassinated in 1987 in an explosion that shot down a helicopter he was boarding enroute from Beirut to Tripoli.
Sect: Sunnite.
Marital status: Married to Mariam Mosbah Koptan with 4 children, Yaman, Zeina, Khaled and Faisal.
Education: Bachelor of Laws from Cairo University in 1956. He pursued his Elementary and intermediate studies at the Islamic Educational Instate in Tripoli, and his Secondary Studies at the International College in Beirut. Later on, he started his university studies at the American University of Beirut, after which he moved to Cairo where he obtained his law degree.
Professional Background: Karami practiced law as of 1956 at his own law office. He also worked in business, especially in the construction field.
Philanthropic Activities: Karami founded the Karama Welfare Dispensaries in several locations in Tripoli, where thousands of needy patients are treated every year. He is also the Honorary President of the Islamic Welfare and Relief Association, which supervise the Islamic Educational College in Tripoli and the Islamic Social Establishment. In addition, Karami is the Honorary President of the Islamic Hospital in Tripoli. He also founded in 1991 'Al-Manar University - The Rashid Karami Institute for Higher Education' in Tripoli., and is currently Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
Political Background: Prime Minister (December 24, 1990 to May 7, 1992); Prime Minister (October 26, 2004 to April 19, 2005). Minister of Education and Culture in Salim Hoss governmernment (1989-1990); appointed MP on June 6, 1991, elected in 1992, 1996, reelected in 2000. Participated in the Lausanne Conference in his capacity as Advisor to late Prime Minister Rashid Karami. Headed the Arab Liberation Party in Tripoli after the assassination of Prime Minster Rashid Karami in 1978. Participated in the Islamic Conference in Senegal in 1992 along with the President of the Republic. Founded the National Liberation Movement in Tripoli in 1992. Got involved in politics right after the assassination of his brother Rashid Karami.
Decorations: Lebanese Order of Merit, 1991.
Current Political Status: Tripoli MP.
Political Affiliation: Joined the pro-Syrian Ein El-Tineh Gathering, which was formed in February 8, 2005, following the formation of the Bristol Gathering. Earlier on, Karami Joined the 'National Front'. Announced on September 1, 2003, the National Front was a six-member multisectarian entity aimed at introducing reforms and change. Alongside Karami, the Front grouped former prime minister Salim Hoss, former house speaker Hussein Husseini, former minister Albert Mansour, and MPs Butors Harb and Nayla Moawad.
Contact Information: Residence: Omar Karami House, Maarad Region, Tripoli . Office: Karam Al Kolla, Al Tall, Tripoli. Tel, Home: 01-869831/2, 06-610400, 06-602324, 06-602324, 06-430089.Tel, Office: 06-432325, 06-430089, 06-625025. Mobile: 03-222240. Fax: 01- 867663