July 24, 1981

The President welcomes this as a hopeful and encouraging sign on the road to achieving a permanent peace in this critical region of the world.

We all applaud your consummate skill and tireless efforts on behalf of peace. You have my deep appreciation and admiration. Well done.

Ronald Reagan

Note: Deputy Press Secretary Larry M. Speakes read the statement to reporters at 9:15 a.m. in his office at the White House. Assistant to the President for Communications David R. Gergen read the text of the President's telegram to Ambassador Habib at the daily news briefing, which began at 2:40 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White House.

Earlier in the day, Ambassador Habib reported to the President from Israel on the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.

Date
07/24/1981