In Hollande call, Obama hails their 'close partnership'

[WASHINGTON] US President Barack Obama spoke with his French counterpart Francois Hollande by phone Wednesday, thanking him for his support and leadership in the past few years, the White House said.

The outgoing Democratic president offered "his appreciation for their close partnership since President Hollande took office in 2012," the White House said in a brief statement.

"President Obama thanked President Hollande for his leadership and expressed his appreciation for France's steady contributions to the strength and unity of the trans-Atlantic alliance," it said.

Mr Obama, who is winding up his second four-year term, will be succeeded by Republican President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

Mr Hollande, who announced a week ago that he would not seek re-election, will leave office in May.

AFP