RI welcomes Suleiman`s election as Lebanon`s new president

"President Yudhoyono welcomes the election of Michel Suleiman as Lebanon`s new president," Dino Patti Djalal said, adding that the president hoped stability and security in Lebanon would be improved.

Lebanon plunged into a chaotic situation after Rafiq Al-Hariri, the country`s former prime minister, was assassinated in Februray 2005.

"We welcome the decision of the political leaders in Lebanon to elect the only presidential candidate in the country after failing to come to terms several times," Dino quoted Yudhoyono as saying.

Dino said Indonesia had good relations with Gen Suleiman in relation with Indonesia`s 850 military personnel who had joined the United Nation peace-keeping force in Lebanon.

He said President Yudhoyono was among international leaders who welcomed Michel Suleiman`s election as Lebanon`s new president on Sunday as a crucial first step to reunite the divided nation.

According to AFP, US President George W. Bush said he looked forward to "an era of political reconciliation" in Lebanon, which has been wracked by a political crisis that threatened to escalate 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 UN Security Council resolutions," Bush said.

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