UN chief Ban Ki-moon today hailed the election of Michel Sleiman as Lebanon`s new president, expressing hope it would lead to the revitalisation of all of the country`s constitutional institutions.
"The Secretary-General congratulates the people of Lebanon on the election of Michel Sleiman as president of the republic," his press office said.
Mr Ban, who overnight attended a donors conference in Rangoon to assist survivors of Burma`s devastating cyclone, expressed hope that "today`s historic event leads to the revitalisation of all of Lebanon`s constitutional institutions and a return to political dialogue within this framework".
The UN secretary general called on all Lebanese parties to press ahead together in consolidating the sovereignty, stability and political independence of the Lebanese state.
Mr Sleiman, Lebanon`s army chief for the past 10 years, was sworn in overnight after a parliamentary vote that many hope will turn the page on an 18-month political feud that threatened to plunge the nation back into civil war.
The vote was held just days after the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition agreed a deal after talks in Doha to end the political crisis, including the election of Mr Sleiman and the creation of a national unity government.
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