This is not good news - if the son is anything like his father, we face difficult days ahead.

Baghdad taxi driver

"It was a long and agonising wait for you. I'm very glad it is finally settled. I know that together we will strengthen still further the special friendship between Britain and the United States." UK Prime Minister Tony Blair

"We expect that President George W Bush will have a decisive influence on the Middle East peace process, particularly on the Palestinian track, after the difficulties it has faced in recent years." Palestinian cabinet secretary Ahmed Abdel Rahman

"Israel is convinced that US President-Elect George Bush and his administration will continue and even expand the special relations between the two countries." Israeli Foreign Ministry statement

The Democrats' stand on relations with Russia was quite hazy - I don't think there will be anything like that in the policy of the Republicans

Russian State Duma chairman

"I send you, and the whole of your team, wishes of success in the carrying out of the important duties that you are going to take up in the White House." French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin

"I count on an intensive constructive dialogue with you and your administration, further strengthening fruitful and mutually advantageous cooperation between Russia and the United States." Russian President Vladimir Putin

"The Democrats' stand on relations with Russia was quite hazy. Some of the time Russia was a friend of theirs. At other times Russia was made out to be a country posing some kind of threat. I don't think there will be anything like that in the policy of the Republicans." Russian State Duma Chairman Gennady Seleznev

"I'm willing to make joint efforts with you during your presidency... to push the US-Chinese relationship to develop steadily and smoothly." Chinese President Jiang Zemin

"This year, the people of our two countries elected a new leadership through democratic means, and future bilateral relations can become stronger on the basis of democracy." Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian

We support anybody who has good intention towards the Muslims

Afghan Taleban minister

"I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that he will play an active role not only as the president of the United States, but also as a good world leader of the international community." Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori

"We give a big congratulation to Bush. We support anybody who has good intention towards the Muslims, in particular the Afghans, and support him." Afghan Taleban Information Minister Qudratullah Jamal

"This is not good news. If the son is anything like his father, we face difficult days ahead." Baghdad taxi driver