Europe hails new era of relations

Gordon Brown, who is widely expected to be snubbed by not being the first world leader invited to Washington, said President Obama represented a "new chapter".

"The world is watching the inauguration of President Obama, witnessing a new chapter in both American history and the world's history," he said. "He's not only the first black American president but he sets out with the determination to solve the world's problems."

David Cameron sought to link Obama's rhetoric of change to Conservative policies. "He's saying, 'we are all in this together and we have got to bring this change about'."

European leaders spoke of the dawning of a new era of relations. European Commission president José Manuel Barroso said: "Europe and the US must work together and with our partners around the world to devise and implement this new agenda for globalisation."

In France president Nicolas Sarkozy said: "We are eager for him to get to work so that with him we can change the world." Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said: "Obama gives us hope and his words put us on a better path for a fruitful relationship with the Spanish government."

The Pope offered "prayers" for the new president, and said: "I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, co-operation and peace among the nations."

Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said he looked forward to working with the new leader "and it begins by working together on the global financial crisis". Both sides of the Middle East divide welcomed the new president and spoke of hopes for a new effort for peace.

But there was a chillier welcome from Russia. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said: "I hope problems in our relations, such as missile defence, the expediency of Nato expansion, will be resolved without the ideological assessment the outgoing administration had."

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez offered little welcome. "Hopefully the arrival of a new president will mark a change in relations between the US and the countries of the Third World," he said. "But nobody should be under any illusions. This is the North American Empire we are talking about."