News Service from Weird House

ASIA: World leaders voice hopes over Obama

ASIA: World leaders voice hopes over Obama

World leaders have welcomed BARACK OBAMA'S election victory .. saying they hope for closer ties with the United States and a new role for Washington in international affairs.

China's President HU JINTAO says he hopes bilateral ties can reach new highs .. while Japan's Prime Minister TARO ASO pledges to work with OBAMA to strengthen relations.

French President NICOLAS SARKOZY says OBAMA'S victory proves to the entire world the vitality of American democracy .. while Britain's GORDON BROWN says this is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written.

The Russian president DMITRY MEDVEDEV says that the Kremlin hopes the new US administration will make the choice for fully-fledged relations with Russia.

But in a reminder of the global rivalries that OBAMA will have to confront .. MEDVEDEV has also announced that Russian short range missiles would be aimed at a US missile shield in Europe.

Here in Australia .. Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD has praised the president-elect for turning MARTIN LUTHER KING'S dream into a reality and says the world looks to America for leadership.

AAP RTV jlwz =0A