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Debt Ceiling Debate: World Lawmakers Weigh In On Congress, Global Economy (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 07/26/11 04:30 PM ET   Updated: 09/25/11 06:12 AM ET

As Washington struggles to find compromise on its way to a debt ceiling deal, international leaders have spoken out on the U.S. debt situation and the effects it may have on the global economy.

Though for the most part careful not to wade into the partisan politics of the U.S. debate, leaders from the world's largest economies have stressed the importance of raising the debt ceiling and avoiding any chance of a U.S. default.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sought to reassure the international community that Congress will act responsibly by raising the debt ceiling. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright spoke to The Huffington Post about the direct connection between the debt ceiling debate and America's image overseas.

HuffPost's Josh Hersh reports:

The ongoing political circus over raising the debt ceiling is undermining America's position as a "moral example" for the rest of the world, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told The Huffington Post.

"It looks very strange that we can't deal with this," Albright said in an interview. "It weakens our position as a moral example to the rest of the world."

Check out HuffPost's debt ceiling live blog.

Below, a slideshow of world leaders' comments on the U.S. debt ceiling debate.

U.K. Business Secretary Vince Cable
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While many foreign leaders have avoided commenting directly on the politics of the U.S. debit ceiling debate, U.K. Business Secretary Vince Cable spoke bluntly to the BBC about the partisan divide in Congress:

"The irony of the situation at the moment ... is that the biggest threat to the world financial system comes from a few right-wing nutters in the American congress rather than the Euro zone."
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As Washington struggles to find compromise on its way to a debt ceiling deal, international leaders have spoken out on the U.S. debt situation and the effects it may have on the global economy. Tho...
As Washington struggles to find compromise on its way to a debt ceiling deal, international leaders have spoken out on the U.S. debt situation and the effects it may have on the global economy. Tho...
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01:39 PM on 07/29/2011
The few right wing nutters! Beautiful!
10:10 PM on 07/26/2011
Are their any other countries who want to take over the USA in terms of being the world currency reserve leadership.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jan Rice
07:13 PM on 07/26/2011
Hmm a few "right wing nutters"...amazing...those "nutters" are desperately trying to keep this country from going the direction that ENGLAND has gone and is now trying to escape from! Thank goodness some of those crazy right wingers see the direction we are headed and are doing all they can to keep from descending even further into debt!....
09:13 PM on 07/26/2011
The right wing nutters protect the rich and the oil companies no matter what it does to the rest of the country. If you're not rich and you back the "nutters" you're not too smart.
07:00 PM on 07/26/2011
People are going to be far more angry about the stock market crash than they will be about America losing its "moral legitimacy", if any downgrade occurs.
09:14 PM on 07/26/2011
Amen
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
js0860
06:09 PM on 07/26/2011
To Vince Cable: We threw you people out of here over 200 years ago, and have been doing just fine without you since then.
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cheena1
myhuffpost
06:22 PM on 07/26/2011
"been doing just fine" - lol - This situation the U.S. is in right now you mean??? Yeah, right!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
js0860
06:27 PM on 07/26/2011
Touche! Favorited.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Eugene Berkovich
Unapologetic Socialist
05:32 PM on 07/26/2011
"The irony of the situation at the moment ... is that the biggest threat to the world financial system comes from a few right-wing nutters in the American congress rather than the Euro zone."

Right on Mister Cable.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
John C75
A touch of Socialism makes Capitalism thrive.
05:05 PM on 07/26/2011
As usual the entire world gets it except a few right wing conservatives in the US.