BARACK OBAMA has welcomed the result of the Scottish referendum and said he looks forward to a continued strong relationship with the UK.

In a statement released on the White House website, the US President congratulated "the people of Scotland for their full and energetic exercise of democracy". He added: "Through debate, discussion, and passionate yet peaceful deliberations, they reminded the world of Scotland's enormous contributions to the UK and the world and have spoken in favour of keeping Scotland within the United Kingdom.

"We have no closer ally than the United Kingdom, and we look forward to continuing our strong and special relationship with all the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as we address the challenges facing the world." Meanwhile, the referendum vote lifted secessionist hopes for some in the United States, where almost a quarter of people are open to their states leaving the union, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Some 23.9 per cent of Americans polled from August 23 throguh to September 16 said they strongly supported or tended to support the idea of their state breaking away, while 53.3 per cent of the 8,952 respondents strongly opposed or tended to oppose the notion.

The urge to sever ties with Washington cuts across party lines and regions, though Republicans and residents of rural Western states are generally warmer to the idea than Democrats and Northeasterners, according to the poll.