US soldiers at a gym on a base north of Baghdad halted their workout routines to watch a television screen as news broke that Barack Obama will be the next commander in chief.

One African American trooper cheered with excitement, while others at Forward Operating Base Warhorse were less impressed. They had hoped John McCain, a military veteran, would take over the reigns from President Bush.

Specialist Ebony Frieson watched the election results come in as she ate breakfast at a dining hall on the camp in the restive province of Diyala. “I am happy,” said the 20-year-old military cook from Utah.

Senator Obama’s televised victory speech to an audience of thousands in Illinois had given her goose bumps. “He will be better than McCain,” Specialist Frieson added.

At an outdoor eating area on the sprawling base, Specialist Tavaris James, 21, was also relishing the historic Democratic victory. “I think it is a great thing,” he said, sitting at a wooden picnic table.

“He will be the first African American president,” said the soldier from North Carolina, adding, however, that he did not think the change at the top would affect the military.

Others had a different idea. “The army is going to go to Hell,” said Specialist Megan Sanderson, 25, also from North Carolina, perched at a nearby table with her husband, Specialist Adam Sanderson.

He was also feeling glum about the outcome. “I am not happy. McCain got my vote,” the 23-year-old from Pennsylvania said.

The pair had already been planning to get out of the army because they said it was a difficult way of life for a married couple. The Obama win “is just another” reason to move on, said Specialist Megan Sanderson.

A Republican victory would have had extra significance for many of the US soldiers spread out across Diyala because they deployed from Alaska, where Sarah Palin, Senator McCain’s running mate, is Governor.

In addition, her son, Private First Class Track Palin, 19, is serving with the Alaska-based 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

Staff Sergeant Gary Pruitt, a McCain supporter, was trying to be optimistic about the Democratic win. “Let’s hope things change, the country is ready for a change. Let’s see what happens,” said the 29-year-old from Texas.

Iraqis were also caught up in the election fever, with many rejoicing at the Obama triumph, hoping that it would mean a hastier exit for some 145,000 US troops still based in their country.

The President-elect had promised during the campaign to withdraw all US combat forces from Iraq within 16 months after taking office.

“It’s really the time of change, like Mr Obama’s slogan,” said Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, a lawyer in the southern city of Basra. “Most important for us is what the changes will be for Iraq. I hope it will mean the withdrawal of US troops and the establishment of a good, diplomatic relationship between our two countries,” the 52-year-old added.

Fatima Humam Ali, a doctor in Baghdad, said while many Iraqis were uninterested in the vote she had been monitoring the results on television. “I feel so happy because this is a big punch in the face for Mr Bush and the Republican Party,” the 42-year-old said.

In the northern city of Mosul, one of the most violent places in Iraq, Abu Radhwan, an accountant, cared little for the White House race, though he feared the Democratic victory would mean a premature exit of US soldiers.

“The Iraqi authorities are not yet fully able to control the situation and our armed forces are not strong enough,” the 50-year-old said.

Washington and Baghdad must still sign a deal on the future of the US military in Iraq beyond the end of the year, when a United Nations mandate authorising their presence in the country is due to expire.

Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, said the Obama win would not affect the process of finalizing the status of forces accord. "We want to finish this agreement with this current Administration," he said.

Times Recommends

• 'New York has lost its edge'
• Copenhagen will fail – and quite right too
• More than 17,000 new underwater species found