Trump, Australian PM talk over phone on ties, cooperation

The White House said on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday night spoke with newly elected Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison over bilateral ties and future cooperation.

In a statement, the White House said Trump congratulated Morrison on his recent election.

"The two leaders underscored the importance of the bilateral partnership between the United States and Australia," read the statement. "They also pledged to continue to closely cooperate on priorities the two countries share."

Also on Friday, Trump tweeted that "congratulations to new Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. There are no greater friends than the United States and Australia!"

Scott Morrison was sworn in on Friday as the 30th prime minister of Australia, after winning the ballot for leadership of the ruling Liberal Party.

Morrison replaced Malcolm Turnbull, who resigned as the prime minister after 45 of the 85 Liberal Party Members of Parliament (MPs) voted to vacate the leadership at the meeting.

Turnbull has announced his resignation from the parliament, leaving the government without a functioning majority in parliament.