Obama calls Merkel, congratulates her for election win

US President Barack Obama called Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday to congratulate her on her party's win in the German parliamentary election, the White House said. "The President noted his deep appreciation for Chancellor Merkel's friendship, leadership, and steadfast support of the transatlantic relationship," a White House statement said, a day after German voters nearly gave Merkel's conservatives an absolute majority. "The President and Chancellor Merkel agreed to continue their close cooperation on key issues of regional and global concern," it added.