World leaders on Wednesday hailed President Barack Obama's decisive win for a second term, hoping to deepen cooperation with the United States in tackling pressing global issues such as economic downturn and climate change apart from ensuring international peace and security.
Shortly after 51-year-old Obama was declared winner against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated him and said he 'looks forward to continuing to work with President Obama and his administration in the spirit of the enduring partnership between the US and the UN'.
"Many challenges lie ahead -- from ending the bloodshed in Syria, to getting the Middle East peace process back on track, to promoting sustainable development and tackling the
challenges posed by climate change. All will require strong multilateral cooperation," the UN chief said in a statement.
In a congratulatory message to Obama, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said he looked forward to working closely with him for the "shared objective of peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.
"Describing Obama's win as a 'clear reaffirmation by the American people of their confidence in his leadership and a powerful endorsement' of his vision for his country, Zardari hoped the relationship between Pakistan and the US would continue to prosper during the President's new term in office.
Zardari said he was 'confident that the leadership of the two countries would be able to further deepen and broaden bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interests'.
Hailing his 'friend' Obama's resounding win, British Prime Minister David Cameron called him 'a very successful' US President.
"I look forward to working with him in the future on issues such as reviving the world economy and finding a solution to the Syria conflict," he said in his message to Obama.
Obama's Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin hoped that the 'positive beginnings' in Russian-US ties will grow in the interests of international security and stability.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is set to retire and hand over power at the ruling Communist Party of China's Congress in Beijing, took note of 'positive progress' in Sino-US ties during Obama's first term, notwithstanding tensions over trade issues and territorial disputes involving American allies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appeared to have supported Romney during the election campaign, also congratulated Obama, saying he will continue to work with the US President 'to ensure the vital security interests of Israel and the United States,' while Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas called on Obama to pursue peace efforts in his new term.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she looked forward to continuing cooperation with the US 'so both our countries can continue to stand side-by-side to contend with the important foreign policy and economic challenges that we face as friends and allies'.
French President Francois Hollande said Obama's re-election is a 'clear choice for an open, united America that is totally engaged on the international scene'.
President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, the ancestral homeland of Obama, said the Kenyan people were celebrating his 'well deserved victory'.
"Kenya, as always is proud of our association with you," Kibaki said in a statement to Obama. "We look forward to the deepening of relations between our two countries during your second term in office."
South African President Jacob Zuma said 'we value our relations with the United States and look forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the years to come'.
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi congratulated Obama, saying he hoped his win would strengthen the 'friendship between the two countries', while Malaysian Premier Najib Razak appealed to Obama to continue to foster understanding and respect between America and Muslims across the world.
