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