struggle for the White House, beating Republican John McCain and
becoming the first black president in U.S. history.
Following are quotes from world leaders:
YULIA TYMOSHENKO, UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER
"Your victory is an inspiration for us. That which appeared impossible
has become possible."
FRANCO FRATTINI, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
"Europe which is celebrating (the victory of) Obama must know that
Europe be will be called on to be a producer of security and no longer
merely a consumer. I think Obama will rightly call on us to take our
responsibilities more seriously."
CELSO AMORIM, BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
"In this case hope has won over prejudice -- this is good for the
United States and the world as a whole."
GRIGORY KARASIN, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
"The news we are receiving on the results of the American presidential
election shows that everyone has the right to hope for a freshening of
U.S. approaches to all the most complex issues, including foreign
policy and therefore relations with the Russian Federation as well."
HOSHIYAR ZEBARI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER
"I think you will hear a lot of discussion and goals and slogans
during the election campaigns. When there is a reality check I think
any U.S. president has to look very hard at the facts on the ground."
TZIPI LIVNI, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER
"Israel expects the close strategic cooperation with the new
administration, president and Congress will continue along with the
continued strengthening of the special and unshakeable special
relationship between the two countries."
MOHAMED MAHDI AKEF, LEADER OF THE EGYPTIAN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, ONE OF
THE LARGEST ISLAMIST GROUPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
"We congratulate (Obama) on the confidence of the American people in
him and we hope that he will change the policy of the United States
toward the Middle East and toward the crimes which are happening in
Afghanistan and Somalia, in other words that he adopts a just policy
that restores to America its natural position of respect for humankind
and democracy."
REV, FEDERICO LOMBARDI, POPE BENEDICT'S SPOKESMAN
"Believers are praying that God will enlighten him and help him in his
great responsibility, which is enormous because of the global
importance of the United States...We hope Obama can fulfil the
expectations and hopes that many have in him."
YOUSAF RAZA GILANI, PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER
"Your election marks a new chapter in the remarkable history of the
United States. For long, the ideas of democracy, liberty and freedom
espoused by the United States has been a source of inspiration...I
hope that under your dynamic leadership, the United States will
continue to be a source of global peace and new ideas for humanity."
MANMOHAN SINGH, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER
"Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not
only in your country but also around the world."
ALI AL-SADIG, SUDANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
"We don't expect any change through our previous experience with the
Democrats ... When it comes to foreign policy there is no difference
between the Republicans and the Democrats."
JAN PETER BALKENENDE, DUTCH PRIME MINISTER
"The necessity for cooperation between Europe and the United States is
bigger than ever. Only by close transatlantic cooperation can we face
the world's challenges."
NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT
"With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to
the values that have always defined America's identity, have expressed
with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we
must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous
hope in France, in Europe and beyond."
HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT
"I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope
that this new administration in the United States of America, and the
fact of the massive show of concern for human beings and lack of
interest in race and color while electing the president, will go a
long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or
later."
GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
"Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energizing politics with
his progressive values and his vision for the future. I know Barack
Obama and we share many values. We both have determination to show
that government can act to help people fairly through these difficult
times facing the global economy."
MWAI KIBAKI, KENYAN PRESIDENT
"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your
victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the
world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya."
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT
"We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need
a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership
of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with
Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for
the benefit of the world."
HU JINTAO, CHINESE PRESIDENT
"The Chinese Government and I myself have always attached great
importance to China-U.S. relations. In the new historic era, I look
forward to working together with you to continuously strengthen
dialogue and exchanges between our two countries."
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR
"I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your historic victory in
the presidential election.
"The world faces significant challenges at the start of your term. I
am convinced that Europe and the United States will work closely and
in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront new dangers and risks
and will seize the opportunities presented by our global world."
TARO ASO, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
"The Japan-U.S. alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the
foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With
President-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance
further and work toward resolving global issues such as the world
economy, terror and the environment."
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT
"Africa, which today stands proud of your achievements, can only but
look forward to a fruitful working relationship with you both at a
bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavor to create a better
world for all who live in it."
STEPHEN HARPER, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER
"I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can
continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and
the United States."
KEVIN RUDD, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER
"Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future, it
is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now
in many respects fearful for its future."
HELEN CLARK, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER
"Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are
many pressing challenges facing the international community, including
the global financial crisis and global warming. We look forward to
working closely with President-elect Obama and his team to address
these challenges."
SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO, INDONESIAN PRESIDENT
Indonesia especially hopes that the U.S., under new leadership, will
stand in the front and take real action to overcome the global
financial crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by the
financial conditions in the U.S."
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT
"We welcome his triumph in the same vein that we place the integrity
of the US electoral process and the choices made by the American
people in high regard. We likewise note the making of history with the
election of Senator Obama as the first African-American president of
the United States."
ALI AGHAMOHAMMADI, CLOSE AIDE TO IRAN'S MOST POWEFUL FIGURE
AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI
"The president-elect has promised changes in policies. There is a
capacity for the improvement of ties between America and Iran if Obama
pursues his campaign promises, including not confronting other
countries as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also concentrating
on America's state matters and removing the American people's
concerns."
SAEB EREKAT, AIDE TO PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS
"We hope the president-elect in the United States will stay the course
and would continue the U.S. engagement in the peace process without
delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision
to a realistic track immediately."
(Compiled by Asia Desk)
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