Obama tells Netanyahu: U.S. committed to Israel's security

U.S. President Barack Obama called newly sworn in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to congratulate him on his new position, and to reaffirm steadfast U.S. commitment to Israel and its security.

"The president said he looked forward to working closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to address issues of mutual concern, including Iran and Arab-Israeli peace," the White House said in a statement following the half-hour conversation.

The two agreed to work together closely on issues of mutual concern and to meet in the near future, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin also called Netanyahu, and stressed his desire to strengthen ties with Israel and emphasized that it was important to advance peace and stability in the Middle East.

He invited the new prime minister to visit Moscow and said he hoped they would be able to meet soon. "You would be a welcome guest in Moscow," he told the new premier.

The congratulatory calls came amid controversy stirred when Israel's new ultranationalist foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said Netanyahu's Israel was not bound by commitments it made at a U.S.-sponsored conference to pursue creation of a Palestinian state.

"We have full confidence in, and will continue to support, the government of Israel, and we will work together for a durable and lasting peace in the region," the State Department said on Wednesday.

"As for statements made [by Lieberman], or comments made, I point you to Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments, that he will work for peace with the Palestinians and peace in the region," State Department said.

"We support the two-state solution, and we will continue to work for that. Whether or not the final position of the Israeli government as they come into discussions with us is one way or another - we haven't heard their proposals yet."

"Many of our policies are under review. The two-state solution, however, is not one that is under review," the State Department added.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed hope that Israel's new right-leaning government would continue to work on establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Ban "welcomes the formation of a new government in Israel and looks forward to working with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the full range of peace and security issues," a statement issued by his spokeswoman Michele Montas said.

"This includes the resumption of the Middle East peace process, with the aim of achieving an independent and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace with a secure Israel, and a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace," Ban said.