Obama talks to Indonesia, Saudi leaders on economy

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama discussed the global economic crisis with his Indonesian counterpart on Friday and explained his commitment to forging better relations with the Islamic world, the White House said.

The U.S. president also discussed the economic crisis and the upcoming Group of 20 summit of developed and developing nations in phone calls with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines, the White House said in a statement.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Indonesian President Bambang Yudhoyono, Obama spoke of the need for close cooperation in confronting the economic crisis, it said.

“They agreed to advance our comprehensive partnership with a focus on issues, including education, health care, climate change and counterterrorism,” the statement said.

“The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues, including the president’s commitment to a new and different kind of relationship with Islamic communities around the world,” it said.

“They also discussed how to make progress on democracy and human rights in Burma.” Obama spent part of his childhood in Jakarta and attended school there.