World leaders hail Obama on election success

By Vision reporter and Agencies

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday for winning a second term and said the strategic alliance between their two countries was "stronger than ever".

"I will continue to work with president Obama to ensure the interests that are vital for the security of Israel's citizens," Netanyahu said in a short written statement after Obama gave his victory speech.

British Prime Minster David Cameron said he was looking forward to working again with ``friend'' Barack Obama after his victory in the US presidential race.

"Warm congratulations to my friend Barack Obama,'' Cameron wrote on his Twitter account." I Look forward to continuing to work together.''

European Union president Herman Van Rompuy expressed joy at Obama's re-election to the White House.

"Very happy about the re-election of president Obama,'' Van Rompuy wrote in Dutch on his Twitter account.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela congratulated Obama on his victory, saying he was an “inspiration to people the world over”.

“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” Mandela said in a letter to Obama.

Australian Prime minister Julia Gillard issued a statement offering ''warm congratulations'' to the President on behalf of her government and the Australian people.

''Australia has worked closely with President Obama and his administration over the past four years. I look forward to continuing this friendship,'' she said.

Gillard said US leadership was ''vital'' to meeting global challenges, including maintaining international financial stability and economic growth, peace and security, and managing climate change