United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday congratulated Lebanon on choosing a president following an 18-month stalemate. “The Secretary-General hopes that today's historic event leads to the revitalization of all of Lebanon's constitutional institutions and a return to political dialogue within this framework, " Ban's spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. Lebanese factions, through the backing of the Arab League, reached an agreement in Doha, Qatar last Wednesday to end the political crisis crippling Lebanon. The U.N. Security Council last Thursday welcomed the Doha agreement that called for both a unity government and for Lebanese army Chief Michel Sleiman to be the next Lebanese president.
