Gulf Today Report

World leaders rushed to congratulate president-elect Joe Biden, who has been elected the 46th president of the United States, with many expressing hopes of unity and cooperation.

Jake Sullivan, a senior Biden adviser said, "It was a hard call. If there’s no pandemic, he gets a chance to get out and do what he does, which is retail campaigning, meeting people where they are, having the opportunity to sit with folks and speak to crowds and walk down the street. That’s what he would have preferred, obviously.”

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Biden blows out Trump

Shouts cheers and fireworks in many US cities over Biden victory

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While Trump refused to accept the results of the election, many world leaders made it clear they backed the announcement that Biden had won with running mate Kamala Harris:

UAE Rulers congratulate Joe Biden on election win

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has congratulated Joe Biden on being elected the President of the United States of America, wishing him success in his future tasks.

Sheikh Khalifa (centre), Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid (left) and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed.

In his congratulatory message, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa commended the strategic and historic relations that bind both countries and peoples. President Khalifa also highlighted the UAE's keenness to boost these relations in various fields in the best interest of the two nations.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, dispatched similar messages to the newly elected US President.

Barham Saleh

Iraqi President Barham Saleh extended "warmest congratulations" to Biden, describing him as "a friend and trusted partner in the cause of building a better Iraq. We look forward to working to achieve our common goals and strengthening peace and stability in the entire Middle East".

Abdel Fattah Al Sisi

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi said Egypt, the most populous Arab country, looked forward to "strengthening strategic bilateral ties between Egypt and the US in the interest of both countries and peoples".

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world's greatest challenges together."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wished Biden and Harris "every success".

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a meeting. File photo

"The Australia-US Alliance is deep and enduring, and built on shared values. I look forward to working with you closely as we face the world's many challenges together," he said on Twitter.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a popular leader who had verbally jousted with Trump, congratulated Biden and Harris in a tweet focused on cooperation.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gestures during an event. File photo

"With so many issues facing the international community, your message of unity is one we share. New Zealand looks forward to working with you both!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Biden's win as "spectacular" while highlighting Harris's Indian heritage.

"Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans," Modi said in a tweet to Harris.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses during a rally. File photo

"Chitti" is a Tamil term of endearment for the younger sisters of one's mother, which Harris used in her acceptance of the Democratic nomination for vice president.

Prime Minister Imran Khan

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted: "Congratulations @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris. Look forward to President Elect Biden's Global Summit on Democracy & working with him to end illegal tax havens & stealth of nation's wealth by corrupt ldrs. We will also continue to work with US for peace in Afghanistan & in the region."

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during a press conference. File photo

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said he looked forward to work with Biden on seeking peace in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Chancellor Angela Merkel

"Congratulations!" said Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I wish luck and success from the bottom of my heart.

"Our transatlantic friendship is irreplaceable if we want to overcome the great challenges of our times," she said in a tweet issued by a government spokesman.

President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today's challenges. Let's work together!"

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Biden "on his election as President of the United States and Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Biden. File photo

"The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."

Prime Minister Micheal Martin

The republic's Prime Minister Micheal Martin was one of the first to take to Twitter, tweeting: "I want to congratulate the new President Elect of the USA @JoeBiden. Joe Biden has been a true friend of this nation throughout his life and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead. I also look forward to welcoming him back home when the circumstances allow!"

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted: "Congratulations to US President-Elect @JoeBiden. Joe Biden has been a true friend of Greece and I'm certain that under his presidency the relationship between our countries will grow even stronger."

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted: "We are ready to work with the President-elect @JoeBiden to make the transatlantic relationship stronger. The US can count on Italy as a solid Ally and a strategic partner."

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted: "Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. We wish you good luck and all the best. We are looking forward to cooperating with you to tackle the challenges ahead of us."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close Trump ally, called Biden a "great friend of Israel", congraulating him and Harris on their victory.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poses at a TV programme. File photo

He tweeted: "I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel."

President Joko Widodo

Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his "warmest congratulations" to Biden and Harris. He said: "The huge turn out is a reflection of the hope placed on democracy."

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga focused his congratulatory message on security issues.

"Warm congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the Japan-US Alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," Suga wrote on Twitter.

President Moon Jae-in

South Korean President Moon Jae-in tweeted: "Congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Our alliance is strong and the bond between our two countries is rock-solid. I very much look forward to working with you for our shared values."

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, leader of Africa's most populous nation, called for "greater engagement" with the continent.

He said he looked forward to "enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic and political levels, including especially on the war against terrorism".

President Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Twitter his government looked forward to "working with you and deepening our bonds of friendship and cooperation".

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it was too soon to congratulate Biden and he would wait for "all legal issues" in the US election to be resolved.

"We don't want to be imprudent. We don't want to act lightly and we want to respect people's self-determination and rights," Lopez Obrador, who has had good relations with Trump, told reporters.

Jens Stoltenberg

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg described Biden as a "strong supporter of our Alliance".

Stoltenberg, who often had to adapt to Trump making unexpected announcements about US troop drawdowns from NATO deployments, said in a tweet he looked forward to working with Biden.

"A strong NATO is good for both North America and Europe," he said.