US election 2020: How the world reacted to a Biden win

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. [AP]

The results are finally in and the world is reacting to the victory of Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the US presidential election.

For days, people around the world have been glued to their screens to observe the White House race.

It is not just the US that the election of a new president affects - a new leader in the White House can transform the country's foreign policy and its approach to its friends and foes alike.

The Trump campaign has indicated their candidate does not plan to concede.

But this has not stopped numerous heads of State congratulating Mr Biden and his VP pick Kamala Harris.

Here are a few:

Boris Johnson - UK Prime Minister
"Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election... and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement. 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"

Narendra Modi - Indian Prime Minister
"Congratulations Joe Biden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again...
"Heartiest congratulations Kamala Harris! Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans. I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership."

Andrew Holness - Jamaican Prime Minister
"America will have its first female Vice President in the person of Kamala Harris, and we are proud that she bears Jamaican heritage.
"Her ascension to this role is a monumental accomplishment for women all over the world and I salute her."

Justin Trudeau - Canadian Prime Minister
"Congratulations, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Our two countries are close friends, partners, and allies. We share a relationship that's unique on the world stage. I'm really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both."

Angela Merkel - German Chancellor
"Our transatlantic friendship is indispensable if we are to deal with the major challenges of our times."

Emmanuel Macron - French President
"The Americans have chosen their President... We have a lot to do to overcome today's challenges. Let's work together!"

Nicolás Maduro - Venezuela President
"Venezuela... will always be ready for dialogue and understanding with the people and government of the US."

Not everyone was in congratulatory mood however:

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - Iran
"The situation in the US and what they themselves say about their elections is a spectacle! This is an example of the ugly face of liberal democracy in the US. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is absolutely clear, the definite political, civil and moral decline of the US regime."

Yoshihide Suga - Japanese prime minister
"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."

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - crown prince of Abu Dhabi
"Our sincere wishes for further development and prosperity for the American people. The UAE and USA are friends and allies with a strong historic partnership that we look forward to strengthening together."

Barham Salih - Iraqi president
"I extend warmest congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden, 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."

Benjamin Netanyahu - Israeli Prime Minister (on his Twitter account) 

"Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Joe, we've had a long and warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel."

Iraq Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi

“I look forward to working with you on strengthening the strategic ties that bind Iraq and the United States, building on common values between our nations to overcome challenges together.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda

“Congratulations to @JoeBiden for a successful presidential campaign. As we await the nomination by the Electoral College, Poland is determined to upkeep high-level and high-quality PL-US strategic partnership for an even stronger alliance.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

“Congratulations to @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris! Ukraine is optimistic about the future of the strategic partnership with the United States. Ukraine and the United States have always collaborated on security, trade, investment, democracy, fight against corruption. Our friendship becomes only stronger!”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

“On behalf of the Dutch cabinet I would like to congratulate @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris with their election victory after a close race. I am looking forward to continue the strong bond between our countries, and hope to speak with him about these matters soon.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg

“On behalf of the Norwegian government, I congratulate Joe Biden on his election victory. The United States is Norway’s most important ally and we work closely together in many areas.

“The world needs American leadership to solve major global challenges. We look forward to cooperating with the Biden administration at the United Nations Security Council, and in efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.”

PETER BEYER, GERMAN GOVERNMENT’S TRANS-ATLANTIC COORDINATOR, TOLD REUTERS

“We will have a U.S. President who is interested in Europe and doesn’t want to set us against each other.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

“The American people have chosen the 46th President of the United States. 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,” he said.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

“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.”

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez

“I congratulate the American people on the record turnout at the elections, a clear expression of popular will. I salute @JoeBiden, the next President of the United States, and @KamalaHarris, who will be the first female vice president of that country.”

Chile President Sebastian Pinera

“Congratulations, @JoeBiden, President-elect of the United States, and Vice President @KamalaHarris, on this victory. Chile and USA share many values, such as freedom, the defense of human rights, and challenges like the commitment for peace & the protection of the environment.”

Peru President Martin Vizcarra

“We salute the massive turnout of the American people at the polls and congratulate @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on their recent election. We will work to strengthen democracy, multilateralism, international cooperation and preserve the environment.”

Paraguay President Mario Abdo

“We extend our congratulations to the President-elect of the United States @JoeBiden. We wish him every success and reaffirm our commitment to continue strengthening bilateral relations based on our shared democratic principles and values.”

Phillipines Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque

“On behalf of the Filipino nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wishes to extend his warm congratulations to former Vice President Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden on his election as the new President of the United States of America.”

South Korea President Moon Jae-in

“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. I have great expectations of advancing and opening up the future development of our bilateral relations.”