Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi on Tuesday sent his "heart felt" congratulations to Togo's president-elect Faure Gnassingbe for the victory he won in last week's élections.

Hailing his re-election with a "big majority" of the Togolese people, Boni extended his "warm greetings and congratulations" to Faure Gnassingbe. He sent him his sincere wishes for success in this noble mission.

"This show of confidence in you is a testimony of acknowledgement of your qualities as a statesman and obviously there are immense hopes that have been placed upon you by your fellow compatriots to lay the foundation for building a Togolese nation that is harmonious, solid and prosperous," President Boni Yayi said.

He said he was pleased to "particularly" pursue with Faure the duty of reinforcing the friendly relations and cooperation that has united the two peoples.

"I am equally happy with the good neighborliness that we have maintained in the interest of our sister populations, therefore we should safeguard peace and security which will particularly guarantee the economic development of our sub-region and our dear continent in general," Boni told his Togolese counterpart.