Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama on his victory in the United States presidential election, hoping the new president will take a lead in tiding over global financial turmoil.

President Susilo expected the United States under Obama's leadership will continue to maintain world peace and security, and to boost economy and global cooperation in curbing the threat of global warming.

President Susilo said that the ties between Indonesia and the U.S. could be stepped up in a constructive manner on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The subprime mortgage crisis in the United States has triggered the global financial crisis. The turmoil has weakened Indonesia's export and Indonesian rupiah depreciated sharply against the U.S. dollar.

"Indonesia expects the United States under the new leadership to take a lead to solve financial crisis," said Susilo.

President Susilo said that teachers and students in a preliminary school in Jakarta were celebrating the victory of Obama, who studied years ago in the school.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2008)