The Obama family look really great. What a relief to have human beings in charge. A young energetic friendly family at the top and running things. This will take the world by storm.

James, Beckton, East London. UK.

I'm confused about something -- Is Obama going to close Guantanamo, or is he going to close the jail facility? The Guantanamo Naval Base pre-exists the war on terror. It has long been a direct insult to Cuba, having U.S. troops on their soil. If the base is being closed, this is a bigger story.

Robert Singleton, Austin, TX,

Um, Fraser, "Dubya" is the way the Americans pronounce it. The Brits would call him "double-you".

Ross, lancaster, UK

For clarification purposes, Obama is a Senator for the state of Illinois, not city of Chicago

Jon, Chicago, USA

The most humane thing will be for him to send them to the UK. They'll have lots of company there, plus free housing and unlimited benefits for life! They can even invite their families to join them under the Human Rights Act!

Richard, Chicago, USA

It's refreshing to see that Americans can look beyond race when we are asked to do something as important as choose our next president.
Tipsy global economy, multiple unpopular wars, special interest money/corruption all over our gv't, ect. We need a new moral compass. Hoping Barack Obama delivers!

Derrick, Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Blame the Neocons for the legal nightmare they created in Guantanamo. They have been stalling there to get out of town and let the new sheriff worry about what to do with the detainee's. That situation is an incredible black stain on the Bush record. Thank you Mr. Obama for cleaning up our town.

Patrick, Portland, USA

Baracks move to act swiftly on the closing of Guantanamo will send a message of hope. Hope that the change in direction for our countrie's policies on international human rights and many other issues ie. environmental, economic, educational and even security are coming.

Brandon L., York, PA

Where to locate released detainees from Guantanamo who have nowhere else to go? Here's a thought: Crawford, Texas.

John Doe, Anytown, USA

Yes, ahh, yes. What a great plan, free the terrorists and let them stay in America. With all of Obamas connections he can get them new government jobs. Like maybe in the Pentagon, or a community organizer, or maybe even a seat in Congress...fantastic! I cannot wait.

AJ, Bethany, USA

It's about time!

Very please, both in the speed and direction, our President-elect is taking. Perhaps now - after eight long years of Bush-rule- we'll regain some of the respect we've lost in the world.

January can't come soon enough....

Peter Parmenter, San Diego, USA

The American people clearly spoke last week that redeeming the legal status of terrorists was their top priority.

P Henry, Bristol, UK

The entry of President-elect Obama to the Oval Office for the first time today is another giant stride in the quest to finally show the world that the USA remains the last bastion of unlimited possibilites... However, America will never remain the same again. Kudos to the American Dream...

Wole Akineye, Cotonou, Benin Republic

I'm so excited for Obama to take office!!! He's gonna be amazing :) Closing Guantanamo Bay will be so awesome!! and so necessary!!!! prosecute the alleged terrorists, and if they're guilty, there's the death penalty or life in prison in our country....no one deserves to be tortured

Megaleg, Boston, MA, USA

Such a normal photo for someone whom the Republicans painted as an elitist, marxist, terrorist, and socialist who will ruin America.

Jeff, Sacramento, California, USA

Why the constant reference to Obama being black? His fathers side of his family have played only a very small part of his life. Most of it spent around his maternal (white) side, native Hawaiians and Indonesians, surely these ethnicities are more worthy of a mention.

He's just a well rounded guy!

Andy D, Manchester,

Is this why it is called the White House? I would never have guessed! It is time to drop all this black white stuff in the trash can and wise/catch up on events. President Obama is the man for the job. It is as simple as that. Get your heads around it. Change has arrived.

James, Beckton, East London. UK.

I loved the "George "Dubya" Bush". Typically English to sat
Dub-ya. It's like the English to say..."cake-ah cool-ah" instrad of simply coca cola.

Fraser Pirie, Cartago, Costa Rica