World reacts to Sarkozy's win

World leaders have congratulated France's president-elect, Nicolas Sarkozy, on his victory in Sunday's vote. Many hope he will help end deadlock over the EU constitution and boost international efforts on climate change, while the United States is hoping for improved relations. But not everyone was pleased with the result.

UNITED STATES

Mr Sarkozy has pledged to reform a deadlocked European Union

Mr Sarkozy, seen as a strong ally of Washington, is often described as "Sarko the American" by opponents in France, who criticise his open admiration for American values.

Despite opposing the war in Iraq, Mr Sarkozy has pledged to repair relations between the two nations that were damaged after President Jacques Chirac defied the US over the war. In his victory speech Mr Sarkozy said the US could "count on our friendship".

US President George W Bush called Mr Sarkozy after his victory to congratulate him.

"The United States and France are historic allies and partners. President Bush looks forward to working with President-elect Sarkozy as we continue our strong alliance," US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

GERMANY

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Mr Sarkozy on his "convincing election victory," spokesman Thomas Steg said.

Ms Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency and is France's traditional partner in the union, also acknowledged Mr Sarkozy's plans to shake up EU processes after French and Dutch voters rejected the proposed constitution in 2005.

"In what is one of the crucial phases for Europe, it is important to continue the close, trusting and intensive co-operation between Germany and France," Mr Steg said.

EUROPEAN UNION

Diplomats in Brussels favoured Mr Sarkozy's calls for domestic economic reform and his proposal for an EU "mini-treaty" instead of a full constitution to streamline decision making in the 27-nation body.

"I know Nicolas Sarkozy well, and I know his determination to ensure France takes its full place on the European scene," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

"I have every confidence that Nicolas Sarkozy, whose convictions I know and whose strong beliefs are known to all, will play a driving role in resolving the institutional question and in consolidating a political Europe," he said.

But he called on Mr Sarkozy not to block talks on Turkey's entry into the union, which Mr Sarkozy has vowed to oppose.

TURKEY

In Turkey, newspapers reacted with dismay to Mr Sarkozy's victory.

"Alas! It is Sarko," Aksam daily said on its front page.

Milliyet newspaper outlined the fears of many Turks with the headline: "Sarkozy the new obstacle on the path towards EU", saying that the victory would "increase the potential of already chilly Turkish-French ties to worsen".

Mr Sarkozy has said Turkey's entry to the EU would mean the "death of political Europe".

Instead he called for a new "Mediterranean Union" stretching from Turkey to Morocco.

TUNISIA

Tunisia welcomed Mr Sarkozy's victory, offering an enthusiastic endorsement for his planned Mediterranean Union.

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said the win would help strengthen dialogue between both sides of the Mediterranean in the hope of building a strategic and united partnership.

ISRAEL

During his victory speech Mr Sarkozy called warring parties in the Middle East to "overcome hate".

Israeli Vice-Prime Minister Shimon Peres welcomed this appeal, while Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed hope that French-Israeli relations would improve.

"I am sure that co-operation between us will be fruitful, and together we can push forward diplomacy and peace in our region," Mr Olmert said.

Mr Sarkozy says he favours the creation of a Palestinian state but has reproached the Palestinian Authority for not preventing violence against Israel.