Former army commander Michel Suleiman takes the presidential oath

Syria's Foreign Minister, Walid el-Muallem (R) congratulates newly elected President Michel Suleiman in Beirut, Lebanon on May 25, 2008. After an 18-month standoff between the U.S. backed government of Fuad Saniora and the Hezbollah led opposition that paralyzed the country both sides finally agreed on a consensus candidate for president. (UPI Photo)