Updated 2pm

As the world began coming to terms with Donald Trump's shock victory in the US presidential election, congratulations from world leaders trickled in. 

The first congratulatory call to Mr Trump came not from one of the US' historic allies, but rather from the office of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

In a statement, Sisi's office said the US president-elect had "expressed his utmost appreciation to the president, pointing out that his was the first international call he had received to congratulate him on winning the election."

In Europe, reactions ranged from calls of unity to cautious statements about global uncertainty. 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat tweeted his congratulation to Mr Trump, and urged unity, writing "now is the time for Europe and US to get closer to each other not the other way round." 

Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil's initial reaction was more ominious, with the PN leader tweeting that the election result "will test our ability to navigate in a world of uncertainty."

UK Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Mr Trump on the win and said Britain and the United States would remain "strong and close partners on trade, security and defence".

"Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence," she said.

In Italy, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who had openly supported Hillary Clinton, spoke similarly.

"I wish him well. The Italo-American friendship is solid," Renzi said at the start of a speech in Rome.

EU Council and Commission presidents Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker also congratulated Mr Trump, saying in a statement that the EU - US partnership was "broad and deep" and inviting the US' president-elect to visit Europe for an EU-US summit "at your earliest convenience".

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was jubilant, writing "What a great news. Democracy is still alive" on his Facebook page.

Orban had been the first EU leader to express a preference for the Republican candidate, saying back in in July that Trump's plans on migration and foreign policy were "vital" for Hungary, whereas those of rival Democrat Hillary Clinton were "deadly".

But in Paris and Berlin, celebration was more muted. 

French President Francois Hollande said France wanted to begin talks with Trump immediately to clarify his stance on international affairs.

"This American election opens a period of uncertainty," Hollande said.

German chancellor Angela Merkel's congratulatory statement was carefully worded and came with caveats that cooperation hinged upon respect for "the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views."

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin congratulated president-elect Trump on the win, sending him a telegram in which he told Mr Trump he hoped the two could "work together toward the end of the crisis in Russian-American relations, as well address the pressing issues of the international agenda and the search for effective responses to global security challenges".

Middle East

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped the result would lead to positive change in the Middle East.

"I hope that this choice of the American people will lead to beneficial steps being taken for the world concerning basic rights and freedoms, democracy and developments in our region," Erdogan said. 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the election result would have no effect on Tehran's policies and the nuclear accord with six world powers could not be dismissed by one government.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, who had a poor relationship with President Barack Obama, said he hoped to reach "new heights" in bilateral ties under Trump.

Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message with a conciliatory tone, telling Trump that Beijing and Washington shared responsibility for promoting global development and prosperity.

"I place great importance on the China-U.S. relationship, and look forward to working with you to uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," Xi told Trump, who said on the campaign trail to take on China and to tax Chinese imports to stop currency devaluation.

Japanese premier Shinzo Abe also congratulated the victor and vowed that the two countries would maintain their close relationship, saying the two were "unshakable allies".

In the Philippines, outspoken president Rodrigo Duterte offered "warm congratulations" and said he "looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.

Europe's far-right celebrates

Leaders of far-right parties in Europe were among the first to celebrate Mr Trump's win. 

Greece's Golden Dawn party said the electoral result was a victory against "illegal immigration" and in favour of ethnically "clean" nations.

"This was a victory for the forces which oppose globalisation, are fighting illegal migration and are in favour of clean ethnic states, in favour of self-sufficiency in the national economy," a spokesman of the party said in a post on a YouTube video.

Marine Le Pen, who leads France's far-right Front National, tweeted her congratulations to Mr Trump. One of her senior strategists went a bit further, tweeting "Their world is collapsing. Ours is being built."