A LEADING north west Islamic organisation has hailed the victory of Barack Obama in the American presidential election.

The Rochdale-based Ramadhan Foundation say they hope the Obama administration will mean a turn away from "illegal wars, torture and the disregarding international law".

Foundation chief executive, Mohammed Shafiq, said: “As president elect Obama has said the road ahead will be difficult but the American people have voted for change and the world shares their delight at the end of the Bush administration.

"We need to see an end to the occupation in Iraq, stop torture and close Guantanamo Bay, respect the sovereignty of independent nations, respect human rights and end this aggressive foreign policy – the world is watching and waiting."