World reaction is pouring in to the election of Barack Obama as the next U.S. president.
While many of the world leaders' notes of congratulation look forward to a good working relationship with an Obama administration, many also take note of the historic nature of his victory as the first U.S. President of African-American descent.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the Obama victory today by calling it an opportunity for "a new deal for a new world" that is caught in financial crisis.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a note to Obama that "at a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown congratulated Obama for his "energizing politics...his progressive values and his vision for the future."
Many world leaders also noted the historical first of an African-American winning the highest office of his country.
South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said, "your election...carries with it hope for millions of your countrymen and women [and] for millions of people of...African descent."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Obama's election has taken America and the globe into "an era where race, color and ethnicity, I hope, will also disappear...in politics in the rest of the world."
'Dream Into Reality'
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd praised Obama for turning American civil rights leader Martin Luther King's dream into reality.
Many leaders expressed confidence that ties between their countries and an Obama administration will be strong.
In Asia, Chinese President Hu Jintao said he hoped bilateral ties could be raised to a new level.
And Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged to work with the new U.S. leader to strengthen the Japan-US alliance.
In the Mideast, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Baghdad regards Obama's win as an opportunity to establish "a successful future partnership between the two countries." Obama opposed the Iraq invasion of 2003 and has called for a complete withdrawal of combat troops within 16 months.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Ygal Palmor said, "we are certain the Israeli-American friendship faces a bright future."
And Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas urged Obama to speed up efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
While many of the world leaders' notes of congratulation look forward to a good working relationship with an Obama administration, many also take note of the historic nature of his victory as the first U.S. President of African-American descent.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the Obama victory today by calling it an opportunity for "a new deal for a new world" that is caught in financial crisis.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a note to Obama that "at a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world."
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown congratulated Obama for his "energizing politics...his progressive values and his vision for the future."
Many world leaders also noted the historical first of an African-American winning the highest office of his country.
South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said, "your election...carries with it hope for millions of your countrymen and women [and] for millions of people of...African descent."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Obama's election has taken America and the globe into "an era where race, color and ethnicity, I hope, will also disappear...in politics in the rest of the world."
'Dream Into Reality'
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd praised Obama for turning American civil rights leader Martin Luther King's dream into reality.
Many leaders expressed confidence that ties between their countries and an Obama administration will be strong.
In Asia, Chinese President Hu Jintao said he hoped bilateral ties could be raised to a new level.
And Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged to work with the new U.S. leader to strengthen the Japan-US alliance.
In the Mideast, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Baghdad regards Obama's win as an opportunity to establish "a successful future partnership between the two countries." Obama opposed the Iraq invasion of 2003 and has called for a complete withdrawal of combat troops within 16 months.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Ygal Palmor said, "we are certain the Israeli-American friendship faces a bright future."
And Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas urged Obama to speed up efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.