1:31 PM | Posted by Unknown

Obama Calls Yudhoyono to Express Sympathy



US President Barack Obama phoned his Indonesian counterpart Saturday to offer condolences following a pair of deadly bombings at Jakarta hotels.

"The President(s)... reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and Indonesia in countering extremism in Southeast Asia and around the world," said the White House in a statement.

Obama also repeated his praise for last week's presidential election, saying Indonesia shows the world that Islam and democracy can thrive together.

The American president spent part of his childhood in Jakarta with his Indonesian stepfather, and his written about how the experience influenced his views on society and politics. He sent his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to Jakarta early in his presidency to reinforce his calls for closer ties between the two nations.

Obama is expected to visit the country himself in November, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Washington.

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