Karim Bitar, newly-elected president of the NGO Kulluna Irada. Photo taken from his X account.
BEIRUT — The nongovernmental organization Kulluna Irada announced on Friday that its board of directors has elected Karim Bitar as president to succeed Albert Kostanian, whose term has expired.
"At the end of the term of its president Albert Kostanian, the board of directors of Kulluna Irada met and elected Karim Bitar to succeed him. Wafa Saab and Labib Abou Zahr were re-elected as co-chairs of the board of directors," the NGO's statement said. "Karim Bitar warmly thanked Albert Kostanian and praised his leadership, modesty, and professionalism, which have helped consolidate Kulluna Irada's position as one of the most influential civic organizations for political change in Lebanon," the statement added.
Albert Kostanian will remain a member of the board of directors of Kulluna Irada.
Karim Émile Bitar, a professor of international relations and former Director of the Institute of Political Science at the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut, also teaches at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Lyon. He is affiliated with several think tanks, including the Institute of International and Strategic Relations in Paris (IRIS), the Middle East Institute in Washington, and the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP). Additionally, he is a co-founder and vice president of the Circle of Arab Economists.
Labib Abou Zahr, a cardiac surgeon and president of the Labib Medical Center in Saida, also practices at the Clemenceau Medical Center in Beirut (CMC). Wafa Saab, president of Tinol Paints and former president of the International Alumni Association of AUB, also leads the board of directors of AMIDEAST Lebanon.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Amelia Hankins.