07/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Gulf States congratulate François Hollande. On Monday 7 May, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf States, led by Saudi Arabia and Yemen, congratulated François Hollande, President-elect of the French Republic, and expressed hopes of good relations with France. The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia, meeting under the chairmanship of King Abdullah, extended its congratulations to Hollande. In a telegram, the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wished Hollande success and “more progress and prosperity” in Franco-Emirate relations. The message did not refer to the outgoing president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who had good relations with the leaders of the Emirates. For his part, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, congratulated the new French President, who was elected on Sunday. Sultan Qaboos of Oman congratulated Hollande on his success and expressed hopes of good relations between the two countries, as did the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, and the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Yemeni transition president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, congratulated Hollande on his victory and hoped for the development of bilateral relations. (LC/transl.fl)