Afghan views on new US president

Some Afghans Speak: Short Slideshow

Just a few of the comments

A Ghoayoar, 26, fruit seller

"Afghan people want three things immediately: no more civilian casualties, improvement in the lives of common people and help to develop the police and army. But this is our country and we must rebuild it ourselves. Our government must sack corrupt people and help low-level people with salaries."

Mohammad Gul, labourer

"I work in a far-away village in northern Afghanistan. We want Obama to help Afghans with clinics, roads and other things. More troops, more war creates more war. But I have a lot of hope for Obama. Each time he talks on television, he seems like a honest person. Bush came across as bad guy in the movies."

Shamsudin, orange seller

"I want Barack Obama to stop the killings of the Palestinian people. Where is democracy and human rights? They must also stop killing our civilians. Democracy doesn't come with bombs and bullets. I don't expect any foreigner to rebuild my country for me - they can only help with things from time to time."

And in Iraq

Martin Chulov in Baghdad

Many Iraqis seemed nonplussed at the swearing-in of Obama, with some not knowing the inauguration was taking place and others consumed by the fall-out from the outgoing presidency.

Obama's messages of change and remaking America have yet to resonate in the country that will help shape the legacy of his first years in office. Some Baghdadis, however, were impressed by his inauguration speech.

"If he can do as well as he talks, then all our problems are over," said Abu Ali, the owner of a sparkling new restaurant, Shisha Cafe, in the city's Karada district. "I believe he is a good man, but many people in Iraq believe all American presidents are the same and that we are a playground for their interests," he added. "That's it."

Another cafe-goer, Haitham Sarkis, said that his family had long ago stopped listening to Bush and become dispirited by his last three years in office.

Iraqis expressed mixed feelings about the new president, with some saying Mr Obama represents a significant new page in US history and others questioning how much American policy will change in Iraq.

Muna Abdul-Razzaq, a 37-year-old primary school teacher in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, said Iraqis have bad memories of Bush "who destroyed Iraq", adding: "We hope that Obama will be more responsible".

In the northern city of Sulaimaniyah, dozens of Kurds and Arabs cheered Mr Obama's inauguration as they watched it on television. The crowd gave Mr Bush a thumbs-down when he appeared on the screen, then cheered for Mr Obama.