Amsterdam - Dutch fans of US president-elect Barack Obama were making the final preparations on Monday for Obama-parties taking place in several Dutch cities.

The biggest party, organized by the Dutch Obama Fanclub founded several months ago, was due to take place in The Hague.

Hundreds of Obama fans will be watching the inauguration ceremony live on seven huge video screens in restaurant Raar in Scheveningen, near The Hague.

Among the guests is Henk Jan Ormel, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Dutch parliament.

Scholars of US history and international relations affiliated to the Clingendael Institute, an independent political think-tank located in The Hague, will also be present.

During the festivities, Dutch Obama fans are due to present a petition to the US ambassador in The Hague James B. Culbertson, requesting the new US president to visit the Netherlands in 2009.

The US embassy in The Hague has invited a select number of guests to witness the ceremony on its premises, also using big film screens.

In Rotterdam, Obama fans are due to party in the World Music & Dance Centre.

The evening, called Change We Need, will consist of a mixture of music, debates and a live broadcast of the inauguration ceremony in Washington.

Amsterdam will host the largest number of Obama parties. Visitors to the American Book Centre in Amsterdam's old city centre can watch the inauguration live at the bookshop.

Debating society Felix Meritis is due to host a party called "Yes we watch" starting at 4 pm (1500 GMT).

Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen has invited US expatriates at his residence. US Consul Carolien Gehrels will be among the guests.

From 2 to 2:45 pm, Amsterdam city carillonneur Gideon Bodden will give a special carillon concert with music from American composers in the tower of the historic Oude Kerk - Old Church - in the city centre of Amsterdam. (dpa)