The World Is in need of Clear Leadership: World Leaders Congratulate Obama

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama on his election win and paid tribute to Republican candidate John McCain.

Mr Rudd says he will soon telephone Mr Obama.

"Australia looks forward to working in the closest possible way, in the closest possible partnership with an Obama administration, acting together to deal with the great common challenges we face as democracies," he said.

"He has delivered to the world and to his country a very good message of hope," he said.

"The world at present is in part fearful for its future. This is I believe a great day for the American democracy and let us celebrate this day with our friends in America."

Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has also warmly congratulated the new US leader and says he looks forward to working with him after his inauguration.

Mr Turnbull says the victory proves that America is able to rise above issues about diversity to elect its first black president.

"Our diversity is our strength and that is the great wonder about Barack Obama's election," he said.

"What it shows you is that a country that has witnessed terrible racism, terrible intolerance, terrible friction can nonetheless rise above that and choose somebody based not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character."

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says her Government "very much looks forward to working with the new Obama administration."

"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," she said.

"We look forward to working closely with President-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown congratulated the new US leader, hailing his "energising politics... his progressive values and his vision for the future".

"I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the presidency of the United States," he said in a statement.

"The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security... Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: "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. France and Europe ... will find a new energy to work with America to persevere peace and world prosperity."

Israeli-US relations face "a bright future," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Ygal Palmor said in reaction to President-elect Obama's election to the White House.

"Israelis congratulate the two great friends of Israel, John McCain for his great campaign, Barack Obama for his historic victory," he said.

"We are certain the Israeli-American friendship faces a bright future."

A statement from the Pakistani embassy in Washington said: "President [Asif Ali] Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan-US relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that received a popular mandate in [the] poll."

China's President Hu Jintao congratulated President-elect Obama on his victory, saying he hoped bilateral ties could be raised to a new level, the foreign ministry said.

"In a new historical era, I look forward to... taking our bilateral relationship of constructive cooperation to a new level," Mr Hu said in a written message, according to a statement on the foreign ministry's website.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: "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.

"In the weeks and months ahead Canadian officials and diplomats will be working closely with members of President-elect Obama's transition team. Ministers in our government look forward to building a strong working relationship with their counterparts in a new Obama cabinet."

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso also congratulated him on his victory, pledging to work with the new leader to strengthen relations.

"I wish to strive to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance and solve various problems in the international community as a whole in cooperation with the next President Obama," Mr Aso said in a statement, expressing his "sincere congratulations."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the election took the world into a "new era."

"The election of Senator Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States has taken the American people and the rest of the world with them into a new era - an era where race, colour and ethnicity, I hope, will also disappear... in politics in the rest of the world," he said.

The Philippines has also sent their best wishes.

"We wish to express our profound congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama for his historical and stellar win as the 44th President of the United States," President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said in a statement.

"His call for change opened a new phase in American politics, sparking hope and inspiration not only for the American people but the citizens of the world.

"America has always been the bastion of democracy and the world has always looked to the USA for direction. Obama has promised change and the American people and the world await these changes," she added.

"We look forward to greater cooperation between the USA and the Philippines, the Democrats have always been good allies," she adde