The New US President and the reaction of the World

Source: Guardian.co. UK

Written by Peter Walker

In a night of near-unanimous praise and congratulation for Barack Obama on his US election victory it was, unexpectedly, the current occupant of the White House who expressed himself in the simplest, most memorable terms.

"What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters," George Bush said. "You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself."

Elsewhere, the vast majority of world leaders welcomed Obama's win as a landmark moment for both the US and the wider world, while warning of the challenges the new president will face once in office.

A couple were less enthusiastic – Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, noted that the new president "will not have the same enthusiasm and momentum for this situation (in Iraq)" as did Bush – while Sudan was distinctly underwhelmed.

"When it comes to foreign policy there is no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats," said Ali Al-Sadig, a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry.

Otherwise, world leaders were queuing up to offer their support. Gordon Brown praised Obama's "inspirational campaign".

José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European commission, congratulated Obama, saying it was "time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America".

Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor, echoed this idea, saying she was "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".

Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president, was more effusive still, despite his ostensible ideological differences as a conservative.

"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," he said.

Asia's two emerging world powers offered their congratulations, although China was typically muted. The country's president, Hu Jintao, said he hoped to "continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges between our two countries". India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, was more effusive, saying Obama's "extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world".

In the Middle East, both sides appeared more focused on arguing for continued support. Israel "expects close strategic cooperation with the new administration", said Tzipi Livni, leader of the country's governing Kadima party. An aide to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile said he hoped the "two-state vision will be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately".

Elsewhere in the region, Iranian politicians were as much celebrating the end of Bush's presidency as welcoming his successor.

"Obama's victory is ... evidence that Bush's policies have failed," one prominent MP, Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, said. "Americans have no option but to change their policies to save themselves from the quagmire Bush has created for them."

Afghanistan and Pakistan, who will remain key strategic allies for Obama, were more fulsome. The election "marks a new chapter in the remarkable history of the United States", Pakistan's prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani said. The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, said meanwhile that he wanted to "applaud the American people for their great decision".

Away from the presidential palaces, there was some more personal jubilation. Obama's relatives in Kenya erupted in cheers and singing in the western village of Kogelo, where the president-elect's late father was born, as victory was confirmed.

There was similar celebration in Obama, a small coastal town in southern Japan which has spent the past few weeks cheering on its namesake and acquiring a small measure of global fame in the process.

"I really think this is going to change the world," said Akihiko Mukohama, the signer of a band performing at a party held the mark the election, wearing an "I Love Obama" T-shirt.