Jakarta,  (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed optimism that US President-elect Barack Obama will be able to bring about peace in the Middle East.

"As we can all see, ahead of Obama`s inauguration, Israel has withdrawn its troops from the Gaza Strip," Kalla said, adding that Obama`s assumption of the US presidency would have a great impact on the world situation.

The vice president made the statement at his office here on Tuesday when he was asked to comment on Obama`s swearing in as US president on January 20, 2009.

Kalla said the Indonesian government also congratulated Obama on his inauguration and hoped that he would bring optimism to the world community.

"We are optimistic that Obama will have a great influence on peace in Palestine and other countries in the world," the vice president said.

He said Obama was also expected to be able to overcome other world problems, including the global economic crisis.

In his view, Kalla said, Obama could be accepted by the world community because of his nnique ability to influence world developments.

According to the vice president, American citizens could assert Obama was one of them, but Africans could also identify with him, and so could Asians because Obama partly grew up in Indonesia, while Middle Eastern peoples could also accept him because his middle name was Hussein.

"Obama can surely be accepted by the world community because before he speaks,the Palestinian problem is almost over and the more so when has become president," Kalla said.

The Indonesian vice president also expressed hope that Obama could soon improve the US economy, because the US economic recovery would have a positive impact on the world economy as well.

"The recovery of the world economy will indirectly help the Indonesian economy," the vice president said.(*)