Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Retired lieutenant general Prabowo Subiantoro, a former vice presidential candidate, visited some of his seniors to exchange Idul Fitri greetings here on Wednesday.

He turned up at the presidential palace to meet President Susilo Yudhoyono and First Lady Any Yudhoyono at an open house for state institution leaders, cabinet ministers, ambassadors as well as military/police leaders.

Prabowo said he hoped his presence at the palace would not be interpreted tendentiously. He said he came not as the chief patron of the Gerindra Party but as a common citizen who wished to extend Idul Fitri greetings to President Yudhoyono.

He said he did not have any exclusive conversation with President Yudhoyono during the meeting but only exchanged forgiveness.

"Now is Idul Fitri, so we just exchanged forgiveness. He was also my senior when I was in the military (TNI)," he said.

Prabowo would meet other seniors after meeting President Yudhoyono including former president Megawati Soekarnoputri to whom he served as running mate in the 2009 presidential election.

On the second day of Idul Fitri on Thursday he had no plan to visit anybody but would only stay at home, Prabowo said. (D013)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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