Leaders and political figures from around the world have reacted to the UK's historic decision to leave the European Union.

President Obama said in a White House statement that he respected the result and insisted that the US and the UK would remain "indispensable partners".

Senior European politicians have expressed regret at the referendum result, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

Other European politicians have celebrated the Brexit decision, such as France's Front National leader Marine Le Pen, who called it "a dazzling day for democracy".

Meanwhile, US Presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have also responded to the result.

On a visit to Scotland, Trump said by voting for Brexit the British people had "taken back their country", while Clinton said the decision would bring about "economic uncertainty".

Obama reaffirmed the "special relationship" between his country and the UK as "enduring".

The US President said in a statement: "The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision.

"The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in Nato remains a vital cornerstone of US foreign, security, and economic policy.

"So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond."

He added: "The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world."

Obama had said previously that a British exit from the EU could put the country to "the back of the queue" with regards to future trade deals.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with David Cameron during a UK visit, which were heavily campaigned by prominent Leave campaigners like Boris Johnson.

German leader Angela Merkel called the UK's decision "a blow for Europe".

The German Chancellor said: "We take note of the British people's decision with regret. There is no doubt that this is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process.

"What the consequences of this would be... would depend on whether we -- the other 27 member states of the EU -- prove to be willing and able to not draw quick and simple conclusions from the referendum in Great Britain, which would only further divide Europe."

She added that EU member should "calmly and prudently analyse and evaluate the situation before making the right decisions together".

Merkel was among a string of senior European politicians to comment on the vote, with European Council President Donald Tusk saying it was "not a moment for hysterical reactions".

Leader of the European Parliament Martin Schulz argued for Brexit to be enacted as quickly as feasible, saying economic uncertainty was "the opposite of what we need".

Schulz also commented that Europe had been "taken hostage because of an internal fight in the Tory party".

French President Francois Hollande called the result "painful", but said: "The decision from Britain requires Europe to become aware of shortcomings in the way it works as well as the loss of confidence in the project."

He added: "A jolt is needed. The people are expecting the EU to reaffirm its values, values of liberty, tolerance and peace.

"I will do everything to secure profound change rather than decline."

But anti-EU challenger to Hollande, Front National leader Marine Le Pen, attempted to use the result to galvanise support for a 'Frexit'.

Speaking at a press conference with a backdrop saying 'Brexit - and now France', Le Pen said: "That which no-one dared to dream about a few months back is now a reality which is clear to everyone.

"Yes -- it's possible to leave the EU.

"The British people have given to the Europeans, and also the world, a dazzling lesson in democracy."

She said EU membership would be "at the heart of the next French presidential elections" which are due to take place in April and May 2017.

Le Pen added she had been calling for "a referendum of the same kind" for her country since 2013.

US Republican nominee Donald Trump also praised Brexit as "an amazing vote".

Speaking on a visit to his Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, Trump said: "I think it's a great thing that's happened. It's an amazing vote, very historic.

"People are angry all over the world. They're angry over borders, they're angry over people coming into the country and taking over and nobody even knows who they are."

Trump added that the fall of sterling "could very well turn out to be a positive" for the economy and suggested Obama's backing for Remain had "perhaps caused it to fail".

He also said the 2014 Scottish independence referendum was "a nasty period", adding he did not think Scottish voters "want to go through that again".

Democratic nominee for President Hillary Clinton emphasised her "steadfast commitment" to America's alliance with Britain.

Clinton said: "We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made.

"Our first task has to be to make sure that the economic uncertainty created by these events does not hurt working families here in America.

"We also have to make clear America's steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe."

She added: "This time of uncertainty only underscores the need for calm, steady, experienced leadership in the White House to protect Americans' pocketbooks and livelihoods, to support our friends and allies, to stand up to our adversaries, and to defend our interests.

"It also underscores the need for us to pull together to solve our challenges as a country, not tear each other down."