France

An editorial in the national daily Le Monde proclaims "Obama’s victory ushers in a new American Dream" and talks of his "crushing victory" as the first Black president, with a capital B.

"Le changement est arrivé (change has come)" says a headline of Le Parisien, reporting that President Sarkozy has already congratulated the new American president-elect.

Spain

The national daily El País proclaims "Obama completes the dream of change", adding that his victory is a chance to turn the page after a presidency characterised by "eight years of incompetence and abuses".

Germany

"Good morning, Mr President! Make the world better," requests Germany’s Bild-Zeitung tabloid. It examines Michelle Obama, the future "First Lady der Nation" and love of Obama’s life, before focusing on "Obama’s moving victory speech", deciding: "Barack Obama has won more than just the US Presidential election: he has won the hearts of the American people."

China

China Daily, the state-controlled English-language newspaper, bears little news of Obama’s election win, and includes only a slideshow of his life, with no comment on his victory. Evening papers are however splashed with photos of a beaming Obama, with the Legal Evening News proclaiming him as"the first black American president".

Japan

The business daily Nikkei says the result is a reaction against eight disastrous years of President Bush. "US citizens, with pent-up anxiety and anger, have entrusted a black ’flag-bearer of change’ in his 40s with a mission to restore the nation," it says, warning: "If no result is produced at an early date, expectation can change into disillusionment."

Israel

The left-leaning Haaretz newspaper says Obama’s best chance to make the Middle East peace process work lies in actively pushing Israel to quit the Golan Heights, disputed territory annexed from Syria 40 years ago. "Even then, there is no guarantee of success, but at the moment, your best shot at a Nobel Peace Prize lies between Jerusalem and Damascus."

Syria

Ath Thawra, the official daily, opines: "If Obama wins, it would be a historic event and the signal for an extraordinary development for United States politics and society."

Egypt

The state-owned Egyptian Gazette, printed before the results were announced, runs the headline "World hopes for a ’less arrogant’ America."

Australia

The Australian hails: "The first black president", but then asks "Is America a racist nation?" because it voted for Barack Obama, as it may have been dubbed if it had not.

North Korea

The Korean News Service fails to mention Mr Obama at all, instead leading with Kim Jong-Il’s inspection of an army parade ground.

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