Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 21, 2009

Global Leaders Welcome Obama to World Stage
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=21BFB3D:A6F02AD83191E1606BF3BD132B8CD5172A201403E89ED254&
 
New president receives congratulatory messages from Asia, Europe, Africa
while Middle Eastern leaders urge change in US policy to improve
America's image in region 
Barack Obama is sworn in as U.S. president by Supreme Court Chief
Justice John Roberts; Michelle Obama (R) holds Lincoln Bible, 20 Jan
2009

World leaders are welcoming Barack Obama as the new president of the
United States, while reminding him of the many international challenges
he must face. In a congratulatory message, Egypt's President Hosni
Mubarak urged Mr. Obama to make the crisis in the Middle East an "urgent
priority." Mr. Mubarak has been involved in efforts to negotiate a truce
between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. And Iran's Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki said Mr. Obama should change U.S. policy in the
Middle East to improve America's image in the region. Taro Aso Japanese
Prime Minister Taro Aso said he is ready to work closely with Mr. Obama,
particularly on efforts to confront the global economic crisis.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf
Raza Gilani expressed confidence that Mr. Obama will help the United
States lead the way in overcoming the challenges that confront humanity.
Lawmakers in Britain erupted in cheers Wednesday when British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown congratulated Mr. Obama during his weekly
parliamentary address. Mr. Brown added that his nation, already a
staunch ally, will strengthen its relationship with the United States.
Nelson Mandela Former South African leader Nelson Mandela wrote a letter
to the new president, saying his inauguration inspired the same sense of
hope the world felt when South Africa defeated apartheid. A
Constitutional Court Justice in South Africa, Albie Sachs, told the
national broadcaster that Mr. Obama's inauguration reminded him of Mr.
Mandela's inauguration. In Kenya, people danced and sang in the village
of Kogelo, where Mr. Obama's father was born. Many also watched the new
U.S. president's swearing-in on a giant television screen in the
country's capital, Nairobi. Mr. Obama also received congratulations from
European and Latin American leaders, as well as from the pope and the
Dalai Lama. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said in a message that he
is praying for God to grant Mr. Obama "unfailing wisdom and strength."
The Tibetan spiri
tual leader, the Dalai Lama Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama also
offered prayers and deep congratulations for Mr. Obama's success.
China's Ministry of Defense called on Mr. Obama to improve military
relations and halt weapons sales to Taiwan. A BBC poll of more than
17,000 people in 17 countries indicates that people throughout the world
are optimistic about Mr. Obama's presidency. Two out of three people
surveyed 67 percent said they believe Mr. Obama will strengthen U.S.
relations abroad. 


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