New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday praised the agreement reached in Doha among Lebanon's political leaders to end 18 months of political conflicts that had deadlocked national programmes.

Ban said he hoped the agreement will be "the prelude to a lasting period of national reconciliation, political stability, peace and progress for all of Lebanon's people and for the future of their country."

He said the UN looks forward to the early election of a new Lebanese president and the formation of a National Unity Government.

He thanked the "crucial efforts" of Qatar and the League of Arab States for helping the Lebanese reach the settlement. (dpa)