PM speaks with Sarkozy, congratulates him on French presidential victory

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke Monday afternoon with French President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy in order to congratulate him on his victory and wish him success in office.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Sarkozy thanked Olmert and said: "I am a friend of Israel and Israel can always rely on my friendship."

The two leaders agreed to talk after Sarkozy's inauguration in order to advance bilateral relations and regional peace, the statement said.

Jordan's King Abdullah on Monday congratulated Sarkozy, expressing confidence the new leader would ensure the continuation of Paris' "vital role" towards world peace, an official statement said.

In his message, the monarch "expressed confidence that France under Sarkozy's leadership will continue to play its vital and important role towards world peace and stability," the statement from the royal court said.

"France has always been bound with strong and historical ties with Jordan and the rest of Arab countries and has always been a key supporter of Arab issues, foremost the Palestinian cause, as well as the Palestinians' right to set up an independent Palestinian state in the run-up for the establishment of just and durable peace in the region," the king said.

Hezbollah on Monday expressed hope that Sarkozy would bring a more balanced approach to Lebanon's political crisis, while the U.S.-backed Lebanese governing coalition wished for continued support from Paris.

The outgoing French president, Jacques Chirac, has staunchly supported the Lebanese government against Syria and its local allies in the Lebanese opposition, including Hezbollah, drawing their criticism.

Counting on a Sarkozy administration to change course in Lebanon, Hezbollah welcomed the election results and urged the new leader to make policy decisions that are more appropriate with French national interests, and consequently less biased toward one party against the other.

"We hope that the French president will have the vision for a more influential role through being more balanced in his policies," Nawaf Mussawi, head of Hezbollah's international relations, said in a statement.

Within minutes of the results, Saad Hariri, head of the parliamentary majority in Lebanon and son of slain leader Rafik Hariri, sent a message of congratulations to Sarkozy, expressing confidence that historic ties will continue to develop.

"This is the hope of all the Lebanese who remember France and the French for their permanent stand toward their causes, and this I pledge to continue to work to achieve it in my political and parliamentary position in Lebanon," Saad Hariri said in a statement.

The late Rafik Hariri was a friend of Chirac and the outgoing president is leading the efforts to create an international tribunal to try killers of the former prime minister.