US President George W. Bush had a 52-minute secure video teleconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and two vice presidents, White House spokesman Tony Snow said Monday.
"The president got a briefing on ongoing activities among all the parties in terms of pursuing political, economic and security reforms. He also expressed his support for their working together, especially considering what has gone on recently in Iraq, the attacks in Samarra," Snow said at a briefing.
Bush reiterated his support for moving forward vigorously on political, economic and security fronts, Snow said.
The Bush administration has been urged to make the Iraqi government set up benchmarks for continued US support.
The United States launched the Iraq war in 2003 and toppled the Saddam Hussein regime. However, the new Iraqi government has been struggling amid persistent bombing attacks and sectarian violence.
(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2007)
