Obama calls 13 world leaders

President Barack Obama. AP FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama Thursday returned the calls of a long list of global leaders, including those of Israel and Egypt, who contacted him to congratulate him on re-election, officials said.

Obama also spoke to the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, India, Turkey, Brazil, Colombia and NATO’s secretary general, the White House said.

“In each call, he thanked his counterpart for their friendship and partnership thus far and expressed his desire to continue close cooperation moving ahead,” the White House said.