Obama calls counterparts in Libya, Egypt; discusses cooperation

A day after "outrageous" attacks on US diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt, President Barack Obama called his counterparts in the two countries to discuss security cooperation and investigation into the killing of the American envoy to Tripoli and three other embassy staff.

The White House said today that Obama discussed with Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf and his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Morsi the situation emerging in the region after the violent protests at the American diplomatic missions in their countries.

Following Obama's telephonic conversation with Magariaf, the White House said the two leaders agreed to work closely over the course of this investigation.

Obama reaffirmed the US support for Libya's democratic transition, a cause Ambassador Chris Stevens believed in deeply and did so much to advance, the White House said, two days after Stevens died after a violent mob attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi.

This was the first call between the two leaders after Magariaf's election last month.

During the call, Obama thanked Magariaf for extending his condolences for the tragic deaths of Ambassador Stevens, diplomat Sean Smith and two other State Department officials in Benghazi.

"He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation we have received from the Libyan government and people in responding to this outrageous attack, and said that the Libyan government must continue to work with us to assure the security of our personnel going forward," the White House said.