A Kent expert in American studies has welcomed the 44th President of the United States.

As Barack Obama prepares to be inaugurated into the world's most important political role today, history professor Dr George Conyne said it was a momentous event.

Dr Conyne, who was born and raised in the States, now specialises in such fields as American history and American society generally at the University of Kent.

He said he had not expected to see an African American voted in as the President of the United States.

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