Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hailed progress in Yemen’s efforts to restore stability and security in the country and confirmed Russia’s intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the Kremlin press office said on its website on Sunday.

Medvedev sent a congratulatory telegram to Yemen’s new President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who took the constitutional oath as the country’s new leader on Saturday after winning a single candidate vote that ended Ali Abdullah Saleh's decades-long rule.

“We note with satisfaction that the Republic of Yemen is moving along the path of restoring stability and security and implementing a wide range of social and economic and democratic transformations based on a broad national dialog and in line with the aspirations of all of the country’s citizens,” the telegram said.

“I confirm our firm intention to further strengthen the bilateral Russian-Yemeni relations of friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation,” the telegram said.

Tuesday's vote in Yemen was part of a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council and backed by the West in a move to oust President Saleh following year-long public protests against his 33-year rule.