Lebanese parliament elects Suleiman as president of Lebanese republic in presence of Arab, regional, int'l leaders

President Suleiman stresses in oath speech defensive strategy, diplomatic ties with Syria

Region's countries, world leaders welcome Suleiman election

Prince Saud Alfaisal, Iran's FM Mottaki discuss regional developments

Military commanders often ride to power atop a tank. But in Lebanon, the key to army chief Michel Suleiman's rise to the nation's top job has been keeping his men out of the fight. Suleiman hasn't taken sides in the long struggle for power among Lebanon's feuding politicians, those allied with the United States and the West and others backed by Syria and Iran.

And that's what made him the compromise candidate for Lebanon's top post, to which he was elected Sunday by parliament. The spot had been empty since President Emile Lahoud left office in November.

During his nine years as army commander, the 59-year-old Suleiman has seen many crises. But he kept the army unified through three years of political turmoil that have pushed the country to the brink of all-out civil war. That has earned him respect of both the majority and the opposition, despite some occasional misgivings.

Suleiman also kept the army out of sectarian street fighting that erupted this month between Hezbollah's Shiite supporters and pro-government Sunni loyalists in Beirut and other areas.

That has kept the army unified. But some politicians in the parliamentary majority have criticized the military for watching as Hezbollah swept Sunni areas of Beirut.

Suleiman defended the army's neutrality, saying his stance is what prevented further bloodshed. The fighting resulted in rival leaders striking a deal brokered by Qatar to elect him and form a national unity Cabinet.

"By not resorting to the gun to preserve civil peace ... it was meant to spare blood and prevent further split in internal unity," Suleiman said a statement issued last week.

Suleiman is the third military commander to become president since Lebanon's independence from France in 1943.

Graduating as an officer five years before Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war, Suleiman rose in the ranks to become head of Lebanon's army in 1998. He was appointed then because he was considered a supporter of Syria, which dominated Lebanon for 29 years with thousands of troops stationed there. Syria had backed Lahoud, also an army commander, to be elected president.

But as Damascus' power diminished, Suleiman emerged more independent, earning respect from supporters of both Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and the opposition.

His reputation as a neutral protector began three years ago, when massive street demonstrations against Syria's rule were sparked by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Some blamed Syria for Hariri's killing — a claim Damascus denies.

Suleiman refused to use the military to put down the rallies, which helped force Syria to withdraw its troops and end its control over its tiny neighbor.

But since then sectarian tensions have increased, with Sunni Muslims largely backing Seniora's anti-Syrian government, Shiites supporting the pro-Syrian opposition and Christians divided. That exploded into street fighting earlier this month.

In January 2007, Suleiman imposed a curfew to put down a flare-up of Sunni-Shiite clashes that killed 11 people. He later earned admiration over the summer for the army's defeat of Fatah Islam, an al-Qaeda-inspired militant group that fought in a Lebanese Palestinian refugee camp. The battle left hundreds dead.

Suleiman also sought to distance his military from Hezbollah, while deftly continuing to support the militant group's aim of defending Lebanon against Israel. In 2006, he raised the country's flag on a ridge overlooking the Israeli border and vowed to prohibit attacks from Lebanon that could undermine the ceasefire that ended the 34-day Hezbollah-Israel war.

But he is not without his detractors. The military, lacking equipment, stayed on the sidelines of that war, unable to counter either Israel or Hezbollah. Others criticize the military of not doing enough to stop weapons smuggling to Hezbollah along the Syrian border.

Suleiman warned recently that dragging Hezbollah into internal battles would only serve Israel, which he described as the "enemy."

Suleiman is a Maronite Catholic. Lebanon's power-sharing political system requires the president to be a Christian, alongside a Sunni prime minister and Shiite parliament speaker.

Lebanon's newly-elected President Michel Suleiman took his oath of office as the country's 12th president on Sunday.

I pledge to respect and protect Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and its constitution," Suleiman, who was greeted with heavy applause from lawmakers and guests, said.

House Speaker Nabih Berri congratulated Suleiman and said "Reconciliation is an essential step for the revival of Lebanon." He also thanked Qatar for its efforts toward ending the Lebanese crisis.

A Qatari-brokered deal last week between rival Lebanese leaders defused 18 months of political stalemate that erupted into fighting this month. Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters briefly seized parts of Beirut, routing government loyalists.

Under the Doha deal the priority was to elect a president and then form a national unity government, in which the opposition will have veto power, and a new law for 2009 parliamentary polls.

The occasion was summed up by Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, one of a number of EU and Arab foreign ministers attending the session, as "a great day of hope for Lebanon, starting a new process of consolidation of democratic institutions."

Before Sunday, parliament had not met for more than a year and a half, during which time the government of Prime Minister Fouad Seniora barely functioned.

Bouts of violence claimed scores of lives and revived memories of the 1975 to 1990 civil war. Among other foreign dignitaries attending Sunday's vote was Qatar's emir and prime minister - the driving force behind the Doha agreement - and a host of foreign ministers including those of arch- rivals Syria and Saudi Arabia.

The 60-year-old Maronite Christian general said, "I call on you all, political forces and citizens, to build a Lebanon we all agree on, setting the interests of Lebanon above our individual interests," he told lawmakers and dignitaries in a televised address. "We paid a dear price for our national unity. Let's preserve it."

An inaugural address that dealt with several contentious issues, including Lebanese-Syrian ties and the deadly clashes that struck Lebanon earlier this month. He called for good and balanced relations with Damascus - whose foreign minister, Walid Moallem, was in attendance - based on mutual respect.

"Both Lebanon and Syria should also respect each other's borders," the president added. In an indirect reference to the recent clashes between opposition and pro-government supporters, Suleiman said Lebanon's weapons should only be directed at the Israeli enemy.

Prior to Suleiman's address, Berri congratulated the new president and praised the patience and sacrifices of the Lebanese people. "This is a historic moment," Berri said.

"I ask God to help you succeed in steering the Lebanese ship to a safe haven ... today no one in the world can turn Lebanon into a fighting arena," he added, addressing Suleiman.

Berri thanked various countries, including Russia, France, Italy, Spain as well as the Arab League for their help in bringing an end to the 18-month old political crisis. But he took a swipe at Washington, saying: "I thank the United States nonetheless, seeing that it seems to have been convinced that Lebanon is not the appropriate place for its New Middle East plan." He was referring to comments made by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who described the plight of Lebanon during Israel's 2006 war against it as part of the "birth pangs of the New Middle East."

After Suleiman's inaugural address, Qatar's emir delivered a speech to the Parliament and international guests. "I want to tell you that there is a victor and a vanquished in Lebanon today ... Lebanon is the victor and internal strife is the vanquished," Sheikh Hamad said.

"Two years ago, I saw the courage and strength of the resistance in Lebanon when resistance was necessary ... today, I am seeing another form of courage ... it is the courage of wisdom," he added.

Sheikh Hamad appealed for Arab unity while stressing the role of the Arab League in solving inter-Arab disputes. "Our similarities are far more than our differences," he said.

The fate of nations, more important than factional disputes, is at stake in our region," added Sheikh Hamad, who helped pressure feuding Lebanese factions into the recent Doha talks that ultimately resulted in an accord after the country seemed on the brink of another civil war.

A recurrent theme during the emir's address to the House was his allusion to the "no victor, no vanquished" staple of Lebanese politics, as he at once hoped that the Doha talks transcended that approach, "which buries rather than solves crises," and stated that the Doha agreement saw to it that "Lebanon vanquished strife" by resorting to dialogue.

"All the [Doha process] did was to provide a locale for dialogue in the absence of pressure, and I believe the chance afforded by such a dialogue reached its natural conclusion," the Qatari ruler added.

In characterizing the Doha agreement as an achievement for Lebanon, Sheikh Hamad also stressed the "broader meaning of success, as the crisis was taken from the verge of disaster to an arena of dialogue."

The emir continued by saying that hosting the Lebanese dialogue "was an honor for us," and added that the Qatari capital would remain "open, unconditionally, as a space for dialogue.

"The Arab world is endowed with institutions and organizations - the Arab League, above all - capable of creating an atmosphere for dialogue," the Qatari leader added.

Sheikh Hamad concluded by declaring: "That which unites [Lebanese] parties transcends the divisions between them. This is our belief and our goal, so that God may preserve Lebanon."

After calling for a moment of silence in honor of those who have died for Lebanon, Suleiman delivered his inaugural address, laying out the governing vision for the coming six years of his term.

Suleiman spoke of strengthening Lebanon's constitutional institutions, minimizing incendiary political rhetoric, preserving the rights of diaspora Lebanese and pursuing constructive and balanced relations with Syria. "One of the more dangerous developments of the last few years has been the basing of political discourse on the rhetoric of treason," he said, underlining the political divisions that have paralyzed Lebanon since the summer war with Israel.

Suleiman stressed the importance of balanced development, which he described as "a pillar of state integrity," adding that this could be achieved through "more thorough administrative decentralization at all levels in addressing the social, economic and cultural imbalances" between various regions of the country.

"Emerging from our state of stagnation and stimulating the economic cycle requires security and political stability, as well as the state's encouragement of competitive production," added Suleiman. "

The president touched upon the rights of the diaspora, linking the issue to the controversial debate over citizenship in Lebanon, saying that "Lebanese abroad have more of a right to citizenship than others."

In discussing foreign policy, Suleiman expressed his belief that Lebanon should "respect all United Nations decisions" and stressed the importance of following through with "the international tribunal pertaining to the assassination of [former Prime Minister] Rafik Hariri."

The new president said a strong defense strategy is "necessitated by Israeli aggression," calling for a composed dialogue aimed at creating such a strategy, which he said should "utilize the capabilities of the resistance."

Suleiman added that Lebanese-Syrian relations should be "brotherly," with mutual respect for the "boundaries of each sovereign country."

Suleiman also argued that "the Palestinian struggle cannot be used as a pretext" for terrorism and that "the gun should never be aimed inward, but should always point toward our enemies."

Earlier, Syria was among the first countries to welcome an agreement among Lebanese leaders on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, saying that it hoped Parliament would elect a president on Sunday. The Qatari News Agency announced that Syrian President Bashar Assad called Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to congratulate him on the agreement that was reached by the Lebanese leaders in Doha.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem had already expressed from Yemen his support for the agreement. Under Arab League auspices, rival Lebanese leaders clinched a deal on Wednesday to end the political feud that exploded into deadly fighting on May 5 and nearly drove the country into a new civil war.

The agreement, announced in Doha, will see the election of a president for Lebanon within days and the creation of a unity government in which the Hezbollah-led opposition will have the power of veto.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, whose country backs the Beirut government, said on Wednesday that Riyadh supports the agreement reached between rival leaders in Qatar.

"Saudi Arabia announces its support for the agreement between the Lebanese in Doha. We are very happy that this accord has been reached," Abdulaziz Khoja, who is currently in Riyadh, told AFP.

Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia backs the Cabinet of Premier Fouad Seniora, who also has the support of the United States and other Western powers.

Iran, the main foreign supporter with Syria of the Lebanese opposition, also welcomed the deal on Wednesday.

"Iran welcomes and is pleased about the agreement reached by the Lebanese factions," the ISNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini as saying.

"Iran congratulates all the Lebanese groups, regional countries and the Arab League, and especially the Qatari government," he added.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran hopes that the Doha accord ... will provide a blossoming and brilliant future for the Lebanese and be the prelude to freeing the rest of Lebanese territory" from Israeli occupation, he added.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit, whose country backs the government, called for the deal to be faithfully implemented by all parties.

"The agreement ends a complicated crisis which could have destroyed Lebanon's stability had it not been for the wisdom of certain Lebanese politicians and the rapid Arab intervention," the official MENA news agency quoted him as saying.

"Egypt is particularly relieved ... about the agreement of all Lebanese groups to no longer resort to weapons to resolve conflicts or achieve political gains," Abu al-Gheit said.

Meanwhile, the United States welcomed the deal, but warned that the crisis in Beirut was not yet over.

"The United States welcomes the agreement reached by Lebanese leaders in Doha, Qatar," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a statement, as she renewed support for the central government to extend its authority nationwide.

"We view this agreement as a positive step towards resolving the current crisis by electing a president, forming a new government, and addressing Lebanon's electoral law, consistent with the Arab League initiative," the statement said.

In Washington, US Deputy Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch said the deal represented a "necessary and positive step" toward restoring functional government in Lebanon. But he admitted the Lebanese still have "very delicate political" issues to resolve.

"This is not the end of this crisis. Lebanon still has to go through implementing this agreement," Welch said. UN chief Ban Ki-moon hailed the landmark deal between Lebanon's feuding factions to end the political standoff and looks forward to the early election of a new president, his office said Wednesday.

"The secretary general welcomes the important agreement reached in Doha today among Lebanon's political leaders," the office said in a statement.

"He hopes this agreement will be the prelude to a lasting period of national reconciliation, political stability, peace and progress for all of Lebanon's people and for the future of their country," it added.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the deal brokered in Qatar as a "great success" and joined Germany and Spain in calling for its swift implementation. "France, which has invested much effort in the search for a solution to the Lebanese crisis, never stopped backing the process that led to this agreement," Sarkozy said.

"As a friend of Lebanon, in solidarity with all Lebanese, France stands more than ever by their side for the period that lies ahead. More than ever, it is committed to the unity, stability, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon."

Germany and Spain called for Suleiman's election as president to take place as soon as possible, followed swiftly by the formation of the unity government.

"Spain, which along with France and Italy, contributed to the mediation efforts, trusts that the Lebanese people will be able to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by this important agreement and by the peace prospects that are opening up in the Middle East," the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini welcomed the news and expressed his hope that the inter-Lebanese accord would be solidified through the immediate election of a president and the formation of a new cabinet.

"We now expect the universal, unreserved commitment of all parties to the implementation of the agreement through the immediate election of [Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces] Michel Suleiman, and the formation of a new government that will have the specific duty of ensuring order, security and national reconstruction," he said.

Meanwhile, Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia met at the headquarters of Lebanese Parliament here today Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki.

During the meeting, they reviewed overall current developments in Lebanon and the region, in addition to bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Iran.

Earlier, Prince Saud arrived in Beirut to attend the session of electing Lebanese army commander General Michel Suleiman as President of the Republic of Lebanon.

Upon arrival at Rafik Al-Hariri International Airport, Prince Saud was received by resigned Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh; Member of Parliament Ali Hassan Khalil; Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja and members of the embassy.