New United States President Barack Obama has sent good will messages to Premier Ewart Brown and Opposition Leader Kim Swan.

Responding to letters of congratulations both men sent the President, he replied electronically to each: "I am confident that we can work together in a spirit of peace and friendship to build a more secure world during the next four years.

"I look forward to working with you in that effort and promoting good relations between Bermuda and the United States."

Announcing he had received the correspondence, the Premier said in the House of Assembly yesterday: "The election of Senator Obama was an event widely celebrated in our country, Mr. Speaker — in fact some of my Honourable Colleagues joined the pilgrimage to Washington D.C. on January 20.

"So I thought it would be fitting, Mr. Speaker, to share the words of President Obama with the people of Bermuda."