Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said after a cabinet session late Monday that through the Beirut and Metn by-polls the government recovered a "thunderous" acknowledgment of its legitimacy and constitutionality.

He said Siniora congratulated Interior Minister Hassan Sabaa and Defense Minister Elias Murr for "making the election day successful and preserving people's security and rights."

"He also congratulated the winners and losers in the elections," Aridi told reporters after the meeting.

"Everyone in the polls has performed his duty to the best of his ability while preserving the Lebanese people's safety and right to express their opinion," he added.

Aridi said the cabinet also approved President Emile Lahoud's participation in the United Nations General Assembly in September, adding that the government asked for reduction of the trip fees.

He did not say whether the government would send its own delegation to the U.N.

Aridi also welcomed the "unexpected return" of resigned Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh to his ministry.

Salloukh visited the Foreign Ministry on Monday and informed ambassadors of his decision to modify those of acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri on some diplomatic posts.

Aridi said that "we hope Salloukh's initiative does not constitute a challenge to any ... decisions made by acting ministers."

Picture: Resigned Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh is supposed to be an independent Shiite minister , but resigned when ordered by Hezbollah along with all the Shiite ministers . He returned to duty to replace the Tarek Mitri, who has done a great job and was widely praised for his performance as an acting Foreign Minister.

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan