What they said
"We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. - European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso
"Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future. - British prime minister Gordon Brown
"At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond. French president Nicolas Sarkozy
"Mr Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture. There are many pressing challenges facing the international community. - NZ prime minister Helen Clark
"The Japan-US alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. - Japanese prime minister Taro Aso
"We hope that the US will take real action to overcome the global crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by US conditions -- Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
"I hope that this lack of interest in race will go a long way in bringing the same values to the rest of world sooner or later. - Afghan president Hamid Karzai
"We hope the president-elect will stay the course and would continue the US engagement in the peace process without delay. - Aide To Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Saeb Erekat
"We are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots. Your victory has special resonance with us here in Kenya. - Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki
"President Lee Myung-bak has made change an important policy priority since his own election . . . the two leaders share this philosophy - South Korean presidential Blue House
"I look forward to meeting so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the US. - Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper
"Your victory has demonstrated that no person in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place - former South African president Nelson Mandela
"We express the hope that poverty will receive a greater attention of the focus of the new administration. - South African president Kgalema Motlanthe
"There is a capacity for the improvement of ties between America and Iran if Obama pursues his campaign promises - Ali Aghamohammadi, close aide to Iran's Ayatollah ali Khamenei