Obama pledges cooperation with new Israeli government

US President Barack Obama on Thursday pledged cooperation with Israel's new coalition government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on various issues including the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran.

The president, in his administration's continuing efforts to smooth over differences with Netanyahu, congratulated the Israeli leader for his formation of a new coalition by the Wednesday midnight deadline after winning the March 17 parliamentary elections.

"President Obama looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his new government," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.

"We also look forward to continuing consultations on a range of regional issues, including international negotiations to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and the importance of pursuing a two-state solution," Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

Netanyahu's attempt to sway the nuclear talks with Iran, including a tirade at US Congress in early March, had angered the Obama administration and further chilled bilateral relations.

Iran and the US, Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany -- collectively known as the P5+1 group -- are racing against the June 30 deadline for a comprehensive agreement after negotiating a framework deal in early April.