World leaders pledge to work with Trump

HONG KONG, Nov 06 (AFP): World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.

Here are the first reactions, with many being expressed even before his election win was confirmed:

Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing that China hopes for "peaceful coexistence" with the United States.

"We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," she said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was unaware of any plans by Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump since the US is an "unfriendly country".

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a "historic election victory" offering his "heartiest congratulations" to Trump, describing him as "my friend."

"As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration," he said in a statement.

"We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words," Peskov said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's win as "history's greatest comeback!"

"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!" Netanyahu said in a statement.

Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, told AFP that under Trump the United State's "blind support for the Zionist entity must end because it comes at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region."

President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump on his "impressive victory" and said he hoped his presidency would bring a "just peace in Ukraine closer."

"I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelensky said in a statement on social media.

NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Trump and said his return to power would help keep the alliance "strong".

"His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said in a statement.

"I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump," European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. Let's work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the 78-year old on his "historic election victory". "From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic."