The White House says President Bush made a congratulatory call Friday to Felipe Calderon, and told the apparent victor in Mexico's presidential race he looks forward to working with him on key issues.
Spokesman Tony Snow said Mr. Bush also called Mexican President Vicente Fox to congratulate him on his achievements while in office. The spokesman said Mr. Bush hopes to see Mr. Fox again before the Mexican leader steps down in December.
The calls were made one day after Mexico's Federal Electoral Institute released a final report showing Calderon won last Sunday's presidential election by a razor-thin margin. Calderon, representing Mr. Fox's ruling National Action Party, took 35.88 percent of the vote. His leftist rival, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was second with 35.31 percent.
Lopez Obrador has said he will legally challenge the result in the Federal Electoral Tribunal and rally his supporters Saturday in Mexico City's main square. The Democratic Revolution Party candidate has demanded a vote-by-vote recount.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
