NNA  - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received today a phone call from Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, congratulating him on his presidential election, stressing the depth of the fraternal relations between Iraq and Lebanon, and emphasizing the importance of developing and strengthening these relations in all fields for the benefit of both countries and brotherly peoples.

The Iraqi Prime Minister renewed his country's support for Lebanon and its keenness to help the Lebanese overcome the effects and repercussions of their recently witnessed ordeal.

President Aoun, in turn, thanked the Iraqi Prime Minister for his congratulations and well-wishes, appreciating Iraq's continued support to Lebanon and its people in various circumstances and pledging keenness to develop relations between the two countries.

Aoun also received today a congratulatory call from the Saudi Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.

On a different note, President Aoun congratulated the Lebanese player Hadi Habib after qualifying for the second round of the Australian Tennis Championship following his historic victory over the Chinese player Wei Bo. The President considered this achievement as confirming, once again, "the successes reaped by Lebanese athletes in major sports tournaments, thus raising the name of Lebanon high and reflecting an honorable image of Lebanese youth wherever they are in the countries of the world."

===========R.Sh.