Obama calls new Italian PM Renzi

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama spoke Monday to Italy’s new reformist Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the White House said, adding that the two leaders would meet in March in Rome.

The US leader was quick to contact Renzi, who was formerly sworn in on Saturday at the head of a 16 party coalition after Italy´s latest political crisis.

"The President expressed support for Prime Minister Renzi´s leadership on creating economic growth and jobs, and he looks forward to continued close US-Italian partnership on Afghanistan, Libya, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and security and defense cooperation," the White House said in a statement.

"Both leaders welcomed their March meeting in Rome as an opportunity to build deeper bilateral cooperation on these and other matters of mutual interest."

Obama is due to travel to Rome next month to meet Pope Francis on a trip which also includes stops in the Netherlands, Belgium and Saudi Arabia. (AFP)