Your views from around the world

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America."

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States.

BBC World Service's audiences have reacted in their thousands to what is now regarded as one of the greatest moments in living history.

Here are just a few thoughts from our audience across the globe about Barack Obama's victory last night.

Kenya

The majority of people have been celebrating in Kenya. They feel that Barack Obama's victory is a Kenyan victory as well - especially because of his father's roots in the village of Kogelo in Kisumu.

Listen Listen to people on the streets of Nairobi

However there are some who feel a Republican President would have been better for Africa.

Listen Listen to one Kenyan who would have preferd a Republican President

China

The majority of BBCChinese.com's audience were in support of Senator Barack Obama. However many were surprised but happy that a black person has actually become President of the United States of America.

They like his youth, energy, and the hopes and promises that he said he will bring to people.

There were some respondents who would have liked to have seen Republican John McCain win, primarily because they felt that he would have continued with President George Bush's policy in regard to China - which they felt was okay.

Here are just a few thoughts from China...

"The first black American President has been elected, this is the pride of America and the American people. Obama's father is from a Kenyan village, an immigrant to the States but his son has become the president of the USA. This is unthinkable in China, where the head of the minority regions are often Han Chinese, so it is clear who is pushing discrimination." (Anonymous)

"American elections have shaken me to the core. I have always thought the Chinese political system is the best in the world, but it is not so. We are deprived of our sacred rights, rule of law and human rights are trampled upon. To have a democratic system like the one in the USA is more difficult than touching the sky... But we long to achieve freedom and democracy, which is a difficult task for us young people in China." (Anonymous)

Brazil

The majority of BBCBrasil.com's audience were in support of Senator Barack Obama. The issue of his race has probably not been as significant as in other nations.

Here are just a few thoughts from Brazil...

"I fear he will have the same destiny as John F Kennedy" (Antonio, DF)

"It will not change anything. The President is new but the old foxes remain the same. He will govern with the very same people who have managed the country for a long time. His election is purely political marketing." (Kratan Heillter, from Cachoeiras de Macacu, RJ)

"Now I believe the US is a democratic country. An Afro-American has won and the president has been elected. Congratulations to the American people, but personally I don't believe in radical changes." (Alessandro Cavalcante, from Sao Paulo, SP)

"As we all know, anybody is better than Bush. But we have to be aware that US Presidents are elected to protect American interests." (Ingo da Silva, PR)

"I am happy with Obama's victory because he represents hope and a dream that came true." (Elvira do Nascimento, from Santos, SP)

Urdu Service

Most of BBCUrdu.com's users wanted Barack Obama to win and are very happy about his victory.

However, there is also a sense that nothing much will immediately change as far as America's foreign policy is concerned.

Here are just a few thoughts from Urdu speakers across the globe...

"We cannot and should not hope for a great change in American policies because America is not run by just one man. The real power in America lies with the institutions." (Ahmed, Islamabad)

"By Electing Barack Obama as their President Americans have made the race issue irrelevant. The differences between white and black is no longer the issue." (Mahar, Norway)

"Obama's victory is good news for the whole world but we'll have to wait and see how America uses this historic opportunity and how Obama's election affects the rest of the world." (Tanveer Babber, Dera Ismaeel Khan)

"America has made history today!" (Jenab Ali, Canada)

Hindi Service

The majority of BBCHindi.com's audience has welcomed Obama's victory. They hope that his election will be beneficial for India.

They also feel that the situation in Iraq will change and that he will somehow help the economy to recover.

Here are just a few thoughts from Hindi speakers across the globe...

"Obama will have to face a lot of problems. He will have to deal with the screams of innocent children and the plight of women and the old. The people of Iraq and Afghanistan will need his love and compassion. Mutual relations can progress only if he will hold the view that the whole world needs to prosper."
(Khaled Najmi, Bihar, India)

"I am sure Obama will think of the interests of the whole world and not only that of the US. I am sure he will be able to tackle the issues of economic recession, poverty and illiteracy. Obama has special leadership qualities, he believes in truth and that is what makes him special." (Divakar Mani Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

"John McCain was a follower of Bush's economic policy. In fact he believed in 95% of Bush's policies. This is a well known fact that those policies had already failed. America needed a change and Obama is the best person to ensure that." (Mohammed Rafi, New York, USA)

"I find it so exciting that a black man has been able to reach the most powerful post in the world. This proves the theory that you can win hearts only on the strength of understanding people's feelings. This is definitely the victory of democracy." (Iman Khan, Delhi, India)

"I am very happy that Obama has won. But I have my doubts if he will be able to change American policies. The US has become used to dominating the whole world. How can this transit change overnight? Anyone who thinks Obama's entry will change the situation is either living in a fool's paradise or has an Aladdin's lamp." (Mushtaq, New Delhi, India)

Russia

Most of BBCRussia.com's audience have welcomed Obama's victory, mostly from the point of view that now with the Republicans out of office, a friendlier foreign policy towards Russia might be implemented by the new Democrat administration.

However, some are sceptical about whether Obama will be able to implement any real changes in foreign policy towards Russia, as many of his advisors will be the same old faces.

Other users also say that Obama will be used as a scapegoat in the aftermath of the financial crisis and Iraq, and few also few fear that he could be assassinated.

Here are just a few thoughts from our Russian audience...

"Obama's victory shows a considerable victory over racism in the United States. It also shows that Bush's domestic and foreign policy has suffered a crashing defeat. Obama should start with focusing on the financial crisis and then on healthcare. In foreign policy he should start with strengthening ties with Asia." (Aleksei Seladyin, St Petersburg, Russia)

"A lot of respect to Obama! I hope America will now go its own way, the right way, and leave everyone else alone. McCain should retire." (Dmitry Kovalsky, St Petersburg, Russia)

"This shows that racism has been won in the US. Obama has no knowledge or experience, but his skin colour is 'politically correct'. I hope that this election will vaccinate the United States from racism in the future. Obama is bound to demonstrate his political incompetence and this will teach Americans a lesson, that a presidential election should not depend on the candidates' skin colour." (Alexander)

"This election signifies the end of the American empire - its collapse. It is possible that the United States will break up in the future into North and South. Good old America is dead!" (Dr Evdokimov, Moscow, Russia)

"I really like Obama, and his wife has impressed me. What I worry about is the way he was brought to victory. It seemed like the Democrats were playing chess, while Republicans were playing giveaway chess. They set up an old man paired up with a housewife against the handsome Obama. I am afraid that now they will make Obama take unpopular decisions and then use him as a scapegoat." (Uncle Sasha, St Petersburg, Russia)

"If tomorrow we were electing the president of planet Earth, I would choose Obama." (Andrei Sidorenko, Vladivostok, Russia)

Arabic Service

Here are just a few thoughts from our BBCArabic.com users across the globe...

"I don't think that anything will change. The US foreign policy will stay as it is; supporting the crimes committed by Israel, attacking other power centres in the world, manufacturing events so that the US stays as the world's only leader and taking wealth from other people so that the Americans get richer while others become poorer." (Najeh, Abu Dhabi, UAE)

"Obama's victory is a triumph for all minorities around world and the beginning of the end of the unilateral domination of the world." (Abu Baker, Sudan)

"Congratulations to President Obama. We hope that the policies of the USA will change as he has promised during his campaign. To Bush we say good riddance!" (Majid, Kuwait)

"American democracy changes all the time. The role of this new America in the Third World will be more humane and more ethical." (Adel, Yemen)

"I wish that everyone would stop referring to Obama as the first ‘black' president. Had McCain been the winner, would anyone have dared to describe him as the ‘white' president? Anyway, Obama's win shows that the era of racism in the USA is over." (Mohammed, Dubai)

"I was sure he would win. I prayed for him to win. I see this man as ushering a new opening. Obama has more to offer. I hope he pays attention to Iraq and what is going on here. I hope he helps Iraq to be re-born." (Ehsan, Basra, Iraq)

Spanish Americas Service

The general reaction among BBCMundo.com's users was very positive and enthusiastic. They received many messages of hope, expressing happiness and satisfaction with the result.

For many, this election has been seen as a chance for a new chapter in the world history and an opportunity to improve the bilateral relations with Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.

Many other users have expressed their fears over a possible assassination, as happened with John F Kennedy. Others the have sent their blessings to Obama or have congratulated the efforts of the American people.

Here are just a few thoughts from our Spanish speaking audience...

"The overwhelming election of Obama as President once again demonstrates the ability of the American people to change, to choose a new destiny, to correct the course that a country should take when it is wrong. Long live open societies and respect for popular expression. Death to the tyranny and those who govern at all costs are perpetuated indefinitely in power." (Nirma Santiago de Cuba)

"Congratulations again to the President Barack Obama and the American people that finally has made justice by voting!!! Many of us are very happy with this result; I hope from now on things can change in the country and the world because the Republican power has been bad for the world and especially for Americans." (Cinthia Ibanez, Coyhaique, Chile)

"The United States has demonstrated once more the strength of the civil institutions and the democratic nature of its society. No one could suspect that a revolution, such a transcendental change could happen in the U.S - the choice of an African-American with a name that is so different from the national culture." (Soledad Palacios Lima)

"The enemies of the US will realise very soon that American democracy is unshakeable. I do not foresee a positive government of Obama, especially to Latin America because of his opposition towards the NAFTA and the classical protectionist policies of his party. Within four years we will have an opportunity to correct the course and the US will remain the only nation with one fourth of the millennium without dictators and coups d'etat." (Jose Alonso, Miami)