US President George W. Bush's campaign claimed a decisive victory in the race for the White House but Democratic challenger John Kerry refused to concede leaving the US election snared in an embarrassing stalemate for the second time in four years. US President George W. Bush won a decisive reelection and will declare victory personally over Democratic rival John Kerry, said White House chief of staff Andy Card. US President George W. Bush's Republican Party retained control of Congress and was poised to strengthen its grip on the two chambers when all the ballots are counted from Tuesday's congressional elections. Great Britain Oil prices bolted back above 50 dollars a barrel on indications that US President George W. Bush could be re-elected -- an outcome seen as supportive for oil markets. France French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said a new phase in transatlantic relations would open up following the outcome of the US presidential race. US South Africans bemoaned a black day for the world and its poorest continent Africa as George W. Bush appeared headed for another term in office. Mideast Israel said it did not expect to come under heightened US pressure over the Middle East peace process as George W. Bush, admired in the Jewish state, appeared to move ahead in the race for the White House. Iran Regardless of the outcome of the US election, thousands of Iranians chanting "Death to America" marked the 25th anniversary of the US hostage crisis at the former American embassy in Tehran. Afghanistan US-backed incumbent Hamid Karzai was officially declared winner of Afghanistan's first presidential election, almost a month after eight million Afghans defied threats of violence to have their first say in their country's leadership Iraq A US-Lebanese man working for Iraq's transport ministry was kidnapped overnight from his house in the smart Baghdad neighbourhood of Mansour, the second time a foreign civilian has been snatched from his home in just 48 hours, police said. Iraq Five Jordanians, including four truck drivers, have been kidnapped in Iraq, officials and their relatives said, as Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi visited the kingdom. Iraq At least nine people were injured after a car bomb punched another hole into battle-scarred Baghad while militants kidnapped more foreigners and shot dead a top oil ministry official. Iraq Fires raged near major oil wells in northern Iraq after a series of attacks on a pipeline network halted vital exports from Kirkuk to Turkey.