World leaders hail Obama triumph
World leaders have hailed the election of Senator Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Tuesday’s poll historic and said he and Mr Obama “share many values”.
Chinese President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to strengthening dialogue. France’s Nicolas Sarkozy said the poll had raised “enormous hope”.
Outgoing US President George W Bush said Mr Obama could count on “complete co-operation” during the transition.
The president-elect will take over the presidency in January.
Democratic officials quoted by the Associated Press news agency say Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel has been offered the job of Mr Obama’s White House chief-of-staff.
It is not known whether Mr Emanuel – a former aide in President Bill Clinton’s administration – has accepted.
Besides winning the presidency, the Democrats tightened their grip on Congress.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed both Mr Obama’s victory and her party’s gains, saying the American people had spoken out “loudly and clearly” for change.