World reacts as Biden becomes the 46th US President, some celebrate Trump defeat

After more than three days of uncertainty, Saturday saw Democrat Joseph R Biden Jr become the 46th president of the United States defeating President Donald Trump.

As the news of his victory in the 2020 US elections came, Biden took to the twitter to announce and thank the people of America on his victory. He tweeted, 'America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country. The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans - whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.'

Soon after reactions poured in from World leaders, congratulating the president-elect and some even expressing their relief at President Trump's defeat.

The statements came after the Associated Press called the election for Biden and without a concession from Trump, who prematurely declared victory and has sought to halt ballot counting in several key states.

US allies - UK, France, Germany, the EU and Ukraine were among those who congratulated president-elect Joe Biden and vice president - elect Kamala Harris.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his statement said that he looks forward to working with Biden, Harris and the incoming administration.

'Our shared geography, common interests, deep personal connections, and strong economic ties make us close friends, partners, and allies,' Trudeau said in a statement.

Wishes from European leaders

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, "The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today's challenges. Let's work together!"

Relation of Macron and Trump had not been that great after US President's 2017 France visit where the two leaders failed to come on the same page on the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. Trump later withdrew the US. from both.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Harris's historic win as the first woman to be the vice president-elect, and praised the relationship between Germany and the US.

'Our transatlantic friendship is irreplaceable if we are to master the great challenges of our time,' Merkel said.

In a statement posted on twitter, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, 'The US is our important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security,' Johnson said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Celebrate Biden win

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte openly rooted for Donald Trump during the election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tweeted that his country 'is optimistic about the future of the strategic partnership' with the US. An alleged US attempt at a quid pro quo with Ukraine over military funding was at the center of Trump's impeachment.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted, 'I know Joe Biden as a strong supporter of our Alliance and look forward to working closely with him. A strong #NATO is good for both North America & Europe.' 

Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of NATO, which he called 'obsolete' at one point. But he has also shown some enthusiasm for it.

Mid-East leaders congratulate

Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani tweeted that he looked forward to working with Biden administration, 'to continue strengthening the friendship between our countries.' Trump was seen as siding with Saudi Arabia back in 2017, during a rift that pitted other Gulf states against Qatar.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi whom Trump once referred to as 'my favorite dictator', was one of the first Arab leaders to congratulate Joe Biden. The Trump administration has removed blocks on military aid to Egypt that were previously imposed due to human rights concerns.

Celebrate defeat of Donald Trump

But while most World leaders highlighted Biden's victory, others celebrated Donald Trump's defeat.

Iran's state news agency quotes President Hassan Rouhani as saying the US. must now correct its 'false approach toward Iran in the past three years.'

In his comments, Rouhani made apparent reference to the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the world's major powers, which called for easing sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran pulling back on its nuclear program. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal in 2018 and has since reimposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Iran.

Rouhani said the Iranian people had stood up to American 'economic terrorism' under Trump and that it was time for the US to return to 'honoring its commitments.'

Some Palestinian leaders also expressed relief at Trumps' loss.

'America Detrumped! The World also needs to be able to breathe. Trumpism must be carefully scrutinized & remedied to restore the human, moral & legal equilibrium within and beyond the US,' tweeted Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi.

In Gaza, the political leader of the militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, called the Trump administration 'the most extremist in supporting the occupation at the expense of Palestinian national rights.'

During his tenure as the President of the US, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the US. Embassy there.

'We call on the elected administration to abandon the so-called deal of the century and to cancel the decision to consider Jerusalem as the capital of the occupation and to transfer the American embassy to it,' Haniyeh said in statement.

Leaders silent on Biden win

However Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been silent on the US elections, and unlike many World leaders still hasn't congratulated President-elect Joe Biden.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is distancing himself from President Donald Trump after the 2020 election.

Bolsonaro, who has until now been an ally of the US president said, 'Trump is not the most important person in the World'.