Cautious response to Sharon victory

Many Palestinians are dismayed by the election results

Ariel Sharon's victory in the Israeli election has met with a largely cautious reaction from Palestinian and world leaders.

We respect the decision of the Israeli people, we hope the peace process will continue

Yasser Arafat

The Palestinian National Authority promised to work with the new Israeli leadership.

Leader Yasser Arafat, said: "We respect the decision of the Israeli people. We hope the peace process will continue."

US President George W Bush congratulated the new Israeli leader by phone.

"The president told Prime Minister-elect Sharon he looked forward to working with him, especially with regard to advancing peace and stability in the region," a White House statement said.

'Missed opportunities'

The European Union called on Mr Sharon to pursue efforts for a "just and lasting peace".

The prime minister of Sweden, the country which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said he hoped for continuing co-operation with Israel.

Goeran Persson said: "It is the European Union's hope that Ariel Sharon will keep the peace process alive and will continue dialogue in keeping with the desire of all concerned parties."

If Sharon implements what he said he would during the election campaign, there is every reason to fear what will happen

Norwegian foreign minister

But French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine expressed regret at Mr Barak's failure to achieve peace.

"Tonight, one can only have a feeling of sadness when one thinks of the missed opportunities of the past months," he said.

And Norway, which played a key role in the early stages of the peace process, expressed concern about the implications of Mr Sharon's victory.

"If Sharon implements what he said he would during the election campaign, there is every reason to fear what will happen", Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland said.

"Judging from what he has said, it is a policy that Norway cannot support."

Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah al-Khatib said Mr Sharon would be judged by the actions he took to achieve peace.

"The real challenge with which the region and its peoples will be confronted is the achievement of a just and durable peace."