Stockholm/Copenhagen - The election of Barack Obama as US president was described as "historic" Wednesday by Nordic leaders, who expressed hopes for more dialogue and cooperation.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he hoped to cooperate closely with the new American leadership, just like he had with President George W Bush.

Rasmussen said he hoped to cooperate with Obama in "the fight against terrorism, the mitigation of climate change and the development of new economic growth based on free trade."

Jerusalem - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama Wednesday on his victory in the US presidential election, saying it was a "badge of honour for American democracy."

"Israel looks forward to a continuation of the close strategic cooperation with the new administration, with the new president and with the US Congress, and to the continuation of the strengthening of the special and unshakable relations between the two countries," she said in a statement.

Thimphu (Bhutan), Nov 05: President Pratibha Patil, who is on a four-day visit to Bhutan to attend the coronation ceremony of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, was accorded guard of honour and given a colourful reception at the Paro Airport on her arrival today.

Present King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley received President Patil at the airport.

The new king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, will meet President Patil at hotel Taj Tashi in Thimphu.

New Delhi, Nov 5: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today congratulated Senator Barack Obama on his election as the new President of the United States.

In his message Dr. Singh said, "I have great pleasure in conveying my heartiest congratulations on your election as the President of the United States. Your extraordinary journey to the White House will inspire people not only in your country but also around the world.

Hanoi - Vietnamese in the city where Republican candidate John McCain was held captive during the Vietnam War were tuned to international news channels Wednesday morning to see whether the former pilot once shot down over their city would become the next US president.

Several dozen Vietnamese and over a hundred Americans turned up for an election party hosted by the US Embassy at the Hanoi Hilton - the hotel, that is, not the prison where McCain was held which was mockingly called the same by American prisoners of war.

Washington - Voting started at 6 am (1100 GMT) in several states Tuesday in historic US elections to elect the country's 44th president.

Officials braced for an unprecedented turnout and massive lines at polling places as voters delivered their verdict on Democrat Barack Obama, 47, and his Republican rival John McCain, 72, after the longest and most expensive campaign in US history.