Cablegate: Congratulatory Message to President-Elect

VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLB #1595 3120741
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 070741Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3468

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001595

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O
DEPT ALSO FOR NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP LE
SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT

REF: STATE 118192

1. Following is the text of a letter received Friday,
November 7, 2008 from Saad R. Hariri, Member of Parliament,
leader of the majority and head of the Future Parliamentary
Bloc, to the President-elect.

2. Begin Text:

The Honorable Barack Obama
President-elect of the United States of America

Dear President-elect Obama,

On behalf of the Lebanese people and the Democracy Movement
in Lebanon I would like to congratulate you on this historic
achievement for the American people in winning the elections
and becoming the 44th president of the United States of
America. This vote of confidence by the American people is a
testament to the greatness of this nation and its people who
never fail to amaze and inspire the world with their courage,
resilience, and goodness. We, who look up to this beacon of
freedom and liberty from around the world wish you and your
great country success in this new endeavor and responsibility
to keep America as it has always been throughout its history,
the city on the Hill, a place for hope, justice, compassion
and dignity for all. To keep it a place, as you eloquently
said, where dreams come true especially if they are dreams of
the best that humanity can promise, dreams of freedom and
liberty to all people regardless of their origin, color or
faith.

I am sure that under your visionary leadership people who are
seeking support to live in peace and security will find in
you a helping hand to fulfill their dream to live in a world
free of want and free of fear as one of your great presidents
once dreamed so they may find their voices that will set them
free.

Again Mr. Obama please accept my best wishes for great
success in your new mission and may God the merciful guide
you and be always with you.

Sincerely,
/s/ Saad Rafic Hariri

Beirut, November 5, 2008

End text.

3. The original of the letter is being sent to S/ES-CR under
registry number 9395899.

SISON

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