France congratulates new Lebanese government

French President Francois Hollande welcomed the formation of a new government in Lebanon, the president's office Elysee said Saturday. Hollande "congratulates President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Tammam Salam and all those who contributed to its formation," said the Elysee Palace in a statement. He also welcomed the action of former Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati which ensured the respect of Lebanon to its international commitments. Reaffirming France's support to Lebanon, the French president called on the international community to provide assistance to this country and hoped that the same "spirit of responsibility" would continue in Lebanon till the holding of presidential elections, concluded the statement. Earlier Saturday, a new government led by new prime minister Salam was formed in Lebanon, after a 10-month deadlock. The new government announcement was the result of a compromise reached by the pro-Syrian March 8 camp and the opposition March 14 camp, and witnessed a complete shuffle in the portfolios.