World leaders hail Obama Victory, pledge Cooperation

World leaders have hailed President Barack Obama’s sweeping re-election, with allies pledging to deepen cooperation with the United States on fighting the world economic slump and maintaining security across the globe. Congratulations poured in from across the world, including fellow UN Security Council members Britain, China, France and Russia as well as its Middle East ally Israel and Obama’s ancestral home in Kenya. Russia President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram congratulating Obama on his victory.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas urged the US leader to pursue peace efforts while Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said he hoped that Obama’s reelection would mean the creation of a Palestinian state in the next four years.
South African President Jacob Zuma urged the United State to continue playing a positive role in Africa, saying “we value our relations with the United States and look forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the years to come.” Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi also hailed the win, saying he hoped it would strengthen the “friendship between the two countries”.
In Muslim majority Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak urged Obama to continue to foster understanding and respect between the United States and Muslims worldwide.