"Yes!" says France's Liberation newspaper in a special edition printed to celebrate US President Barack Obama's election victory.

Many in Paris said they welcomed Obama's defeat of Republican rival Mitt Romney.

"I am very pleased. I was for Obama, so I'm actually overjoyed that he's got a second term."

Londoners on their morning commute agreed.

"Good news, good news. Definitely very pleased. I don't know if it will make much difference to this country, but it's good news generally."

Obama was popular when he first won the presidency in 2008 and many in the UK still like him.

"I think it is fantastic that Barack won again. Very impressed and it's going to be very exciting to see the next four years."

Romney made himself unpopular in Britain after he was sceptical about London's ability to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Although polls had put the two candidates neck and neck, Obama secured a convincing victory early Wednesday morning.