Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has commenced farewell phone calls to world leaders who are U.S. allies during his eight-year presidency.
The White House said on Wednesday, in New York that Obama made farewell telephone calls to President François Hollande of France and Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand.
In readout of Obama’s call to Hollande, the White House said that the U.S. leader thanked his French counterpart for his support to him during his presidency.
“President Obama spoke today by phone with President Francois Hollande of France, to offer his appreciation for their close partnership since President Hollande took office in 2012.
“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.”
Similarly, the readout of Obama’s call to the New Zealand leader said the U.S. president thanked him for their close friendship and partnership during his two-term presidency.
“President Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand, to thank him for the close friendship and partnership the two leaders have enjoyed over the last eight years.
“During that time, U.S.-New Zealand cooperation reached unprecedented level.
“The President underscored that New Zealand would remain one of the United States’ closest partners as we continue to work together on a wide array of issues.
“These include contributing to global peace and security, encouraging sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and addressing climate change and conservation challenges”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obama, a Democrat, was inaugurated as the 44th U.S. President on Jan. 20, 2009, the first Black man to be elected president in the history of U.S.
NAN also reports that Obama’s tenure will end on Jan. 20, 2017 when Republican President-elect Donald Trump is expected to be inaugurated as the 45th U.S. President. (NAN)