Normally, a pat on the back and other displays of congratulations would have accompanied this new appointment.

France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States announced that they would not send the usual letters of congratulation.

Our delegation warmly congratulates new UNCLOS States parties and believes that the current trend of broadening the membership of the Convention will continue.

In that report and in my introduction, Vice President Taha and Mr. Garang were congratulated on that great achievement.

But Singh certainly did not fool any of the terrorists, some of whom may have read his self congratulation as a challenge for them to act.

Soon we hope to be able to congratulate other countries that will become parties in the coming year, establishing a new record for the number of ratifications.

Just hours after the release of Yara Shams, daughter of Syrian activist and lawyer Michel Shammas, from prison, many congratulation messages were posted on his Facebook wall.

Kelmety wrote about it here Hamas has congratulated the Egyptian president, government, and people on their winning their seventh African Cup of Nations, and their third consecutive championship.

Facebook users created several groups hailing Noha's courage All for Noha Roshdy(AR), Kolona Noha Roshdy (AR)(we are all Noha), Noha for President (AR) while other groups posted the verdict on their walls and sent congratulations messages to their members here (AR), here(AR), and here(AR).

I would also like to reaffirm the continued support of Arab States for the work of the IAEA to strengthen its ability to address future challenges and to reiterate our appreciation and congratulations to the Agency and its Director General for their remarkable achievements in maintaining human security. Those efforts have been crowned with success by the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, which they have earned and well deserve.

On behalf of the least developed countries, we would like most sincerely to congratulate the President on the transparent and inclusive manner in which he has organized the present meetings, which involve all members, each with its specific concerns.

Mr. Al Nasser (Qatar) (spoke in Arabic) At the outset, Sir, allow me to add my voice to those of colleagues who preceded me in congratulating you wholeheartedly on your election to the chairmanship of the First Committee. I wish you success and Godspeed in your endeavours.

Expresses anew its congratulations and appreciation to the President, government and people of the Republic of Lebanon, and commends the valiant Lebanese resistance as well as the admirable Lebanese steadfastness which repelled the Israeli forces from the South of Lebanon and the Western Bekaa.

The Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Commission on Human Rights was to be congratulated on having prepared a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and, in particular, on the progress achieved during its ninth session.

President Obasanjo On behalf of the Government and the people of Nigeria, and in my capacity as the current Chairman of the African Union (AU), I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you, Sir, and your country, Sweden, on your election as President of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly.

Ms. Sarne (Philippines) On behalf of my delegation, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to Judge Fausto Pocar on his election to the presidency of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and to wish him success in his term and in his future endeavours with the Tribunal.

Mr. Abdallah (Tunisia) (spoke in Arabic) It is my distinct pleasure to express to you and to your friendly country, the Kingdom of Sweden, my most sincere congratulations on your election to the presidency at this sixtieth session of the General Assembly and to wish you every success in your mission.

Mr. Ismail (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic) At the outset, allow me to express my country's heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the people and Government of the United States of America for the losses caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The Acting President (spoke in Spanish) Lastly, I would like to sincerely congratulate all women on the occasion of International Women's Day, especially my colleagues, the members of delegations and all women working in the Secretariat and other United Nations bodies.

Ms. Othman Said (Malaysia) On behalf of the people and Government of Malaysia, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Secretary General on his timely decision to convene this congregation of distinguished personalities to deliberate upon youth perspectives, policies and interventions across the globe.