World leaders' quotes
Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President "We look forward to your constructive contribution towards solving the Palestinian question and achieving a just and comprehensive peace, as the principal requirement for the security and stability of the Middle...
Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President
"We look forward to your constructive contribution towards solving the Palestinian question and achieving a just and comprehensive peace, as the principal requirement for the security and stability of the Middle East."
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."
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 US 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 US 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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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 colour 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, energising 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."
José 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-US 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 US 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."
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 US."
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."
Saeb Erekat, aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
"We hope the President-elect in the US will stay the course and would continue the US engagement in the peace process without delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately."