Karin Gharawi crowned Miss Lebanon 2013

Contestant Karin Gharawi was crowned Miss Lebanon 2013 in a beauty pageant aired by the private television station LBC on Sunday.

Gharawi, who received the crown from her predecessor Rina Shibani, was selected from among 15 other women hailing from all over the country.

The beauty queen hopefuls paraded around the stage in their swimwear and evening gowns and answered questions posed by a panel of nine judges.

The judges included beauty industry experts as well as politicians; Nayla Tueni, a Lebanese journalist and politician, was a part of the judging panel.

The renowned Lebanese singer, Asi al-Hilani, and winner of France’s “The Voice,” Anthony Toma both performed for the competition’s audience.

Lebanon is considered one of the most liberal Arab countries, allowing bikini-clad women to compete in the national beauty pageant.

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(10 Photos)

Rina Chibany holds her tiara after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2012 in Platea venue, north of Beirut September 29, 2012. (Reuters)

Yara Khoury waves after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2011 in Beirut July 10, 2011. (Reuters)

Rahaf Abdallah fixes her tiara after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2010 in Adma, north of Beirut, July 9, 2010. (Reuters)

Martine Andraos is being crowned Miss Lebanon 2009 during a beauty pageant held at the studios of Lebanese television company LBC in Jouniyeh, north of Beirut June 26, 2009. (Reuters)

Rosarita Tawil waves to the audience after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2008 during a beauty pageant contest held at the studios of Lebanese television company LBC, north of Beirut, July 11, 2008. (Reuters)

Nadine Njem waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss Lebanon 2007 at a ceremony held at Casino Du Liban, north of Beirut, April 27, 2007. (Reuters)

Miss Lebanon Annabella Hilal waves to the audience during the Miss World 2006 welcome dinner in Warsaw September 3, 2006. (Reuters)

Miss Nadine Njeim was crowned Miss Lebanon 2004. (Reuters)

The former Miss Lebanon Nadine Njeim (L) turns over the crown to Gabrielle Bou Rashed, the newly crowned Miss Lebanon 2005, in Beirut December 10, 2005. (Reuters)

Miss Lebanon Marie-Jose Hnein accepts congratulations after winning a week-long televised beauty pageant that came to a close in Edma, outside Beirut, Friday, May 23, 2003. (Reuters)