Elias Bou Saab is the Minister of National Defense of Lebanon and a member of the Lebanese Parliament.

He previously served as the Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lebanon, General Michel Aoun, on International Cooperation. Prior to that, he was appointed Minister of Education as a representative of the Free Patriotic Movement by Prime Minister Tammam Salam as Lebanon was under the strain of the Syrian refugee influx. During challenging socio-economic and political times, he was lauded for his ability to implement local projects and campaigns liaising with UNICEF, UNCHR, the World Bank, and USAID to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis by pushing for education for all.

Throughout his life, Minister Bou Saab has exemplified the Lebanese success story that is achieved through hard work and perseverance.

Born in 1967 and raised in the village of Dhour El Choueir, upon finishing high school, Mr. Bou Saab left Lebanon to pursue his studies in the UK, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from The American College in London and a Master’s in International Relations from Boston University. As a student with an inclination for public service, he worked his way through college and was elected President of the Student Government Association twice. He also founded the Lebanese Graduates of Britain and served as its first President.
A firm believer in education as a tool for shaping future generations, in 1995, Mr. Bou Saab founded the American University in Dubai (AUD) which today boasts more than 2500 students.
Wanting to promote intercultural dialogue between the East and the West, he pioneered a partnership between AUD and the Clinton Foundation to grant scholarships to American students (The Clinton Scholars) enabling them to travel, study, and experience the Middle East.

In 2009, he returned to his home town, where he was elected Mayor of Dhour El Choueir, making radical changes to the area’s infrastructure, providing 24-hour electricity and water at minimal cost. He also revived the town’s historic Immigrant Festival and hosted the annual National Army Day celebration. The improvements not only impacted and benefited Dhour El Choueiri’s residents but also the surrounding towns.