Obama marks Greek Independence Day

WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama Friday congratulated Prime Minister George Papandreou on the 190th anniversary of Greek independence and discussed developments in Libya.

Obama thanked Papandreou by phone for Greece's "important support of coalition operations" to enforce the U.N. resolution on Libya authorizing a no-fly zone and "discussed developments in North Africa and their support for the Libyan people," the White House said in a statement.

Later Friday, Obama welcomed Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Dollis to a reception in the East Room to celebrate Greece's independence.

"Tonight we reaffirm the bond our two nations have shared for as long as we've existed. Our Founding Fathers were students of Greek philosophy and Greek history, drawing on Greek principles to guide our own nation in its earliest days," Obama said during brief remarks.

"When it was time for Greek revolutionaries to fight for freedom, they looked to the United States for strength and support. And to this day, the United States and Greece shares a bond rooted in common values and common ideals.

"As allies, we stand together -- not only for our own security, but for the freedom of peoples around the world. Right now, Greek and American soldiers are serving together in Afghanistan. And as we celebrate the independence of the Greek people, the United States and Greece are standing with our NATO allies to support the Libyan people as they stand up for their own freedom," Obama said.