AlHijjah 22, 1433, Nov 7, 2012, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama on winning a second term as U.S. president and said that the crisis in Syria, the quest for Middle East peace, and the threat of climate change remain pressing challenges that require global cooperation. “The secretary-general warmly congratulates President Barack Obama on his re-election as president of the United States," Ban's office said in a statement. “The secretary-general looks forward to continuing to work with President Obama and his administration in the spirit of the enduring partnership between the United States and the United Nations," the statement said. “Many challenges lie ahead-from ending the bloodshed in Syria, to getting the Middle East peace process back on track, to promoting sustainable development, and tackling the challenges posed by climate change," Ban's office said. “All will require strong multilateral cooperation." “The secretary-general and the United Nations will continue to count on the active engagement of the United States on these and other crucial issues as it strives to meet the hopes and expectations of people around the world," the statement concluded.
