Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed hope here on Friday that outgoing Vice President Jusuf Kalla would still continue his service to the nation after leaving office.

Yudhoyono was speaking at a farewell gathering with members of his cabinet at the State Palace.

President Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla as well as other United Indonesia cabinet members will end their term of office on Monday (Oct 19).

Yudhoyono, however, is to continue in office as he won re-election in the presidential race last July, beating former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla.

Yudhoyono and Vice President-elect Boediono are scheduled to be installed as the country`s next president and vice president on October 20.

At the farewell gathering, President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono sat at the same table with Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Kalla as well as Vice President-elect Boediono and his wife Herawati.

Yudhoyono said "I had a chat with him (Kalla) before the event began. I am glad after he told me he would continue his service to the country and nation."

He said Kalla among others planned to be active in helping develop the country`s eastern regions and renewable energy sources as well as to contribute to resolution of conflicts in the regions.

"He said he would do everything he could for the nation and the country. Therefore, as a friend, I feel happy and will always pray for him so that he will achieve his goals" he said.

On the occasion Kalla did not give a speech. It was Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs, Widodo AS, who spoke about the past five years with Yudhoyono on behalf of the cabinet ministers.
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