Nadine Njeim won the Miss Lebanon 2007 title in a nationally televised pageant at Casino du Liban Friday, the same day two slain youths were buried amid mounting anger. Ziad Kabalan and Ziad Ghandour, who were kidnapped and murdered in what was thought to be a political vendetta, were buried in Beirut Friday.

Nadine Njem reacts after been crowned Miss Lebanon 2007

Njeim was crowned Miss Lebanon by Gabrielle Bou Rashed, Miss Lebanon 2006. The new beauty queen edged out top finalists Maha Khoury, Sahar Sbeiti, Sasha Dahdouh and Gretta Habib.

Eighteen contestants from all over Lebanon vied to succeed Bou Rashed. They were trimmed to 10 semifinalists and finally five finalists.

During the swimsuit competition, the beauty queens performed a synchronized strut on stage before each posed for the judges. The contestants also had walk-ons on the catwalk in their evening gowns before the finalists took their solo strolls for the audience.

The show's host was Tony Baroud, whose wife Christina Sawaya is a previous Miss Lebanon title holder.

A panel of nine judges elected the winner. Its members included Paolo Bongia, Siham Tueni, May Khalil, Georgina Rizk, Roger Moukarzel, Billy Karam, Mouna Fares, Nada Salameh and Tarek Housami.

Lebanon's past ten beauty queens were among the crowd who attended the pageant.

Miss Lebanon is the only national beauty contest that awards prizes worth more than half a million US dollars to its winners.

Watch a video of the final moments of Miss Lebanon 2007, when Nadine Njeim is selected

And the winner is...

Nadine Njeim
Age: 19
Profession: International Finance Management
Hobbies: Swimming & Diving
Height: 1.81 m / 5' 11"
Weight: 65 kg / 143 lb
Star Sign: Aquarius

The other finalists...

Maha Khouri - 1st Runner Up
Age: 22
Profession: Graphic Design
Hobbies: Sports
Height: 1.75 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 57 kg / 126 lb
Star Sign: Taurus

Sahar Sbeiti - 2nd Runner Up
Age: 19
Profession: Bank Management
Hobbies: Travel
Height: 1.70 m / 5' 7"
Weight: 52 kg / 115 lb
Star Sign: Virgo

Sacha Dahdouh - 3rd Runner Up
Age: 20
Profession: Marketing
Hobbies: Acting & Tourism
Height: 1.73 m / 5' 8"
Weight: 55 kg / 121 lb
Star Sign: Leo

Gretta Habib - 4th Runner Up
Age: 23
Profession: Law
Hobbies: Ballet, Jazz Music, Classical Music & Swimming
Height: 1.77 m / 5' 10"
Weight: 57 kg / 126 lb
Star Sign: Taurus

Meet the rest of the contestants

Candrella Eid
Age: 19
Profession: Fashion Design
Hobbies: Fashion & Sports
Height: 1.75 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 54 kg / 119 lb
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Jessy Hashem
Age: 19
Profession: Student
Hobbies: Dancing, Tourism & Art
Height: 1.68 m / 5' 6"
Weight: 53 kg / 117 lb
Star Sign: Pisces

Joy Salameh
Age: 19
Profession: Education
Hobbies: Dancing, Tourism & Acting
Height: 1.66 m / 5' 5"
Weight: 50 kg / 110 lb
Star Sign: Cancer

Laurice Matteh
Age: 21
Profession: Graphic Design
Hobbies: Dancing
Height: 1.74 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 59 kg / 130 lb
Star Sign: Aquarius

Manal Abou Haydar
Age: 23
Profession: Hotel Management
Hobbies: Tourism, Dancing & Travel
Height: 1.67 m / 5' 6"
Weight: 54 kg / 119 lb
Star Sign: Capricorn

Sara Kheirallah
Age: 21
Profession: Psychology
Hobbies: Reading
Height: 1.77 m / 5' 10"
Weight: 62 kg / 137 lb
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Christelle Khouri
Age: 19
Profession: Public Administration
Hobbies: Voluntary Work & Sports
Height: 1.74 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 59 kg / 130 lb
Star Sign: Taurus

Jessica Abou Dames
Age: 19
Profession: Hospitality Management
Hobbies: Music, Dancing & Travel
Height: 1.75 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 50 kg / 110 lb
Star Sign: Pisces

Josette Qabalan
Age: 18
Profession: Interior Design
Hobbies: Art & Dancing
Height: 1.72 m / 5' 8"
Weight: 56 kg / 124 lb
Star Sign: Virgo

Laudy Khouri
Age: 18
Profession: Financial Management
Hobbies: Swimming, Fashion and Sports
Height: 1.77 m / 5' 10"
Weight: 64 kg / 141 lb
Star Sign: Gemini

Maya Fakhri
Age: 24
Profession: Law
Hobbies: Sports
Height: 1.71 m / 5' 7"
Weight: 52 kg / 115 lb
Star Sign: Gemini

Pauline Alexanian
Age: 22
Profession: Financial Management
Hobbies: Basketball & Acting
Height: 1.76 m / 5' 9"
Weight: 51 kg / 113 lb
Star Sign: Aquarius

Stefani Saab
Age: 20
Profession: Human Resources
Hobbies: Dancing & Film
Height: 1.71 m / 5' 7"
Weight: 53 kg / 117 lb
Star Sign: Pisces

Singer Nawal al-Zoghby performs during the Miss Lebanon 2007 competition at Casino Du Liban