NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Tuesday congratulated Barack Obama on his inauguration as the new U.S. president.

"President Obama takes up his responsibilities at a time when the international community faces great challenges, but also great opportunities to build a safer, more secure world. The NATO Allies, including the United States, stand together to help reach that goal," said de Hoop Scheffer in a statement.

"The United States has played a leading role within NATO since the alliance was founded in 1949. I have no doubt that President Obama will carry on that tradition," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2009)