The World Reacts to Obama's Win

Netanyahu and the Dalai Lama among those sounding out
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 7, 2012 8:15 AM CST
The World Reacts to Obama's Win
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama gestures to devotees as he arrives to give a religious talk in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

The world reacted to President Obama's reelection this morning with a mix of optimism, skepticism, and a healthy dose of blah, the AP reports. Among the murmurs from abroad:

  • British Prime Minister David Cameron: "One of the first things I want to talk to Barack about is how we must do more to try and solve this crisis [in Syria]. Above all, congratulations to Barack."

  • Calling their strategic alliance "stronger than ever," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "continue to work with President Obama to preserve the strategic interests of Israel's citizens," reports the Jerusalem Post. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Israel and the US "will be able to overcome any of our differences."
  • French President Francois Hollande: "Your re-election is a clear choice in favor of an America that is open, unified, completely engaged in the international scene, and conscious of the challenges facing our planet: peace, the economy, and the environment."
  • Dalai Lama: "You have made earnest efforts to live up to [the] great hope and trust placed in you by the American public. I believe you have been re-elected now in recognition of that effort."
  • Amir Karimi, resident of Tehran: "No breakthrough happened in relations between Iran and the US" over the past four years, and things declined "with the sanctions being imposed. So I think the outcome of the elections that was just held will not make any difference for Iran."
  • Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik tweeted, "Hope we can work together to bring peace to the world" (via the BBC).

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