World Hails Suleiman”s Election
The international community has congratulated Michel Suleiman and hailed his election as Lebanon”s new president as a crucial first step in reuniting the divided nation.
U.S. President George Bush said Sunday that he looked forward to "an era of political reconciliation" in Lebanon, which has been wracked by a political crisis that threatened to blow up into all-out civil war earlier this month.
"I am confident that Lebanon has chosen a leader committed to protecting its sovereignty, extending the government”s authority over all of Lebanon, and upholding Lebanon”s international obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolutions," Bush said.
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the "historic" vote would lead to the "revitalization of all of Lebanon”s constitutional institutions and a return to political dialogue."
He called on all Lebanese parties to press ahead together in consolidating the sovereignty, stability and political independence of the Lebanese state.
State television in Syria said Suleiman takes office "with the green light of all Lebanese and enormous Arab and international support."
"Lebanon is in its rightful place — a united Arab Lebanon, capable of overcoming deadlock. A resistant Lebanon has elected a new president," said the presenter of state television news.
It said Syrian President Bashar Assad had telephoned Suleiman to congratulate him and had promised that Syria was "at Lebanon”s side."
The television channel highlighted the fact that the election coincided with the eighth anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation.
Spain”s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos hailed the role of Syria in the process, the state-run SANA news agency reported in Damascus.
At a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem, Moratinos said Syria "helped in the realization of the Lebanese accord."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged full support for Suleiman and said he hoped the election would allow Lebanon to take a significant step forward and "confront the challenges that await."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the election was "an important step forward."
"We will continue to support Lebanon”s stability, integrity and independence, and we look forward to president Suleiman working with a unity government to bring Lebanon out of its current fragility."
German President Horst Koehler said he welcomed "this bold step" towards resolving Lebanon”s political crisis and wished the new head of state luck in his new role.
"I wish you lots of success, the necessary strength and good luck for the big challenges that lie ahead of you," he said in a statement.
Canada”s Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulated Suleiman and expressed hope Lebanon was "moving in a positive direction."
"Canada stands ready to assist the Lebanese government in any way possible," he said in a statement, adding that the new president brought "tremendous experience and the confidence of the Lebanese people" to the job.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani hailed the accord that was signed in his country after six days of crisis talks brokered by Arab leaders.
"We know that there is a rule in Lebanese politics that considers that there is no victor and no vanquished in the political feuds," he said. But this time, he added, the victor had been Lebanon.
Jordan”s King Abdullah II said the vote was a "positive step for the people of Lebanon and for national unity," according to a statement from the royal palace.
"Jordan stands alongside the Lebanese in their desire and their efforts to preserve their independence and their stability," he said.
Morocco”s King Mohammed VI congratulated Suleiman in a message.
"Thanks to your wisdom, your skills and human qualities, you are going to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly people of Lebanon in strengthening national unity," he said.
Picture: AP