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Leaders congratulate Motlanthe
04/10/2008 22:02 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Unites States President George W Bush has joined other world leaders in congratulating South Africa's newly appointed President Kgalema Motlanthe, the Presidency said on Saturday.
Bush and African Union chair, President Jakaya Kikwete called on Friday night while other world leaders have written letters to pass their congratulatory messages to the new President, it said in a statement.
It was reported earlier on Saturday that US President George W Bush had called President Kgalema Motlanthe to congratulate him on becoming South Africa's new leader.
Bush made the call from Air Force One en route to an event in Missouri after signing into law the $700bn financial system bailout package in Washington, White House spokesperson Scott Stanzel said.
Motlanthe said on Friday that South Africa's budget surplus has sheltered the country from the full impact of the US financial crisis that is taking a global toll.
In July, Washington launched a scathing attack on then-president Mbeki after Pretoria's UN envoy voted against targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
- SAPA
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