At a Congress in Cairo at the weekend, Hans Van Baalen (VVD, Netherlands) was elected to head the Liberal International which brings together Liberals from across the globe.

Baalen succeeds John, Lord Alderdice from the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. Van Balen said in his acceptance speech that "we need LI to fight for the unique liberal combination of civil liberties and the free market, for democracy and for economic prosperity to make the world a safer and more prosperous place."

Addressing Arab liberals at the Cairo Congress Van Baalen called on them "to fight for the political freedom of their citizens, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equal rights for women and gays, freedom of religion and restoration of the traditional Arab tolerance."

Liberal International is the world federation of liberal political parties. Founded in 1947 it has become the pre-eminent network for promoting liberalism, strengthening liberal parties and for the promotion of liberal democracy around the world.

There are a number of common principles which unite all liberal parties from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe; human rights, free and fair elections and multiparty-democracy, social justice, tolerance, social market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability and a strong sense of international solidarity.

Slovenian ALDE MEP Jelko Kacin (LDS) was also elected as one of the Vice Presidents on the Bureau of LI.