MEE Staff
Middle East Eye / November 7, 2020
Countries such as Egypt and the UAE, which had warm ties with the Trump administration, were among the first to welcome the announcement.
Leaders in the Midde East have begun congratulating Joe Biden on winning the US election after several media outlets called the presidential race in his favour.
Biden, 77, was projected to have obtained the necessary 270 electoral votes needed to win the hard-fought matchup with incumbent Donald Trump, CNN, the AP and other major news outlets reported.
Trump has refused to concede defeat and vowed to pursue legal challenges in several battleground states.
“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over,” Trump said in a statement.
“I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”
Here’s how some leaders in the region have reacted to the news:
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, who has had warm relations with the Trump administration, said he “looks forward to joint cooperation and work to enhance strategic relations” between the two countries.
In July, Biden issued a stern warning to Sisi, saying if elected president there would be “no more blank checks for Trump’s ‘favourite dictator’.”
Iran
Iran’s vice-president said he hoped Biden’s administration would bring an end to “destructive US policies”, Iranian state media reported.
“I hope we will see a change in the destructive policies of the United States, a return to the rule of law and international obligations and respect for nations,” Eshagh Jahangiri was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
Iranians “stood their ground bravely until that coward left”, Hesameddin Ashena, an adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, tweeted, referring to Trump and the sanctions his administration has imposed on the Islamic Republic.
Iraq
Iraqi President Barham Salih extended his congratulations to Biden, calling him a “friend” and “trusted partner”.
“Joe Biden (is) a friend and trusted partner in the cause of building a better Iraq. We look forward to working to achieve our common goals and strengthening peace and stability in the entire Middle East,” Salih tweeted on Saturday.
Biden, while vice president in the Barack Obama administration, had been given the task of ending the US war in Iraq in 2009.
Jordan
Jordan’s King Abdullah II offered his congratulations to Biden, and said that he wanted to advance the “historic partnership” between the US and Jordan.
“I look forward to working with you on further advancing the solid historic partnership between Jordan and the United States, in the interest of our shared objectives of peace, stability and prosperity,” the Jordanian monarch said.
Lebanon
Lebanese President Michel Aoun voiced hope that Biden would “restore balance” in the Lebanese-US ties, Lebanon’s state National News Agency NNA reported.
Oman
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said congratulated Biden on winning the US presidential election, the state news agency reported.
The sultan sent a letter to Biden that expressed “his sincere congratulations for winning the confidence of the American people and for his election as president of the upcoming presidential term”.
Palestine
Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Hanan Ashrawi tweeted “America Detrumped” following the announcement that Biden had secured the presidency.
“The world also needs to be able to breathe,” she added.
“Trumpism must be carefully scrutinised and remedied to restore the human, moral & legal equilibrium within and beyond the US”.
Qatar
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani congratulated Biden and Harris, saying he looked forward to keep strengthening the close relations between the two countries.
“Congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. My best wishes to the people of the United States and I look forward to working together to continue strengthening the friendship between our countries,” he tweeted.
Sudan
Sunda’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok congratulated Biden and Harris “on behalf of the Sudanese people”.
“Looking forward to working closely with them both to continue building bridges of friendship and cooperation between our two nations and countries.” Hamdok tweeted.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan said that he hoped for “further development and prosperity for the American people” in his congratulatory message to Biden and Harris.
“Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on winning the US elections. Our sincere wishes for further development and prosperity for the American people,” he tweeted.
“The UAE and USA are friends and allies with a strong historic partnership that we look forward to strengthening together.”
Yemen
Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi congratulated Biden on his victory, saying he aspired to strengthen and develop his relationship with the US.
In a statement released by the president’s office, Hadi “expressed his sincere congratulations and best congratulations to his Excellency on this occasion … wishing him good health and happiness and the friendly government and people of the United States of America progress and prosperity”.
Meanwhile, Hani bin Breik, the vice president of Yemen’s separatist Southern Transition Council, said the STC would work with “our American friends to counter terrorism and extremism in all its forms”.
