WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Monday made a phone call to newly-appointed Greek Prime Minister Lukas Papademos, voicing support for Greece's renewed effort to fight the debt crisis.

Greece's Prime Minister Lucas Papademos addresses a news conference after meeting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (not pictured) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels Nov 21, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Obama congratulated Papademos on his appointment, and lauded him for "taking on such a significant responsibility at a critical moment," according to a White House news release issued afterwards.

The president expressed "US support for Greece's efforts to implement its commitments under its EU-IMF program," and also reiterated that the US will "stand steadfastly with Greece, a friend and ally, through these difficult times," it said.

The Greek interim coalition government headed by Papademos was tasked to put an end to the country's political turmoil and rule through early national elections in February after it was sworn in two weeks ago. It won a confidence vote in the parliament last week.