Obama, Australian PM pledge cooperation

President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (GIH'-lahrd) are pledging mutual cooperation in the increasingly important Asia-Pacific region and the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

Obama welcomed Gillard to the Oval Office on Monday in her first visit to the White House since winning election last summer as Australia's first female prime minister. The two leaders had met at overseas summits but this was the first time in the U.S.

Obama had been scheduled to visit Australia last year, but the trip was twice canceled because of domestic priorities.

The president thanked the Australian people and military forces for what he called extraordinary sacrifices made by Australian troops in Afghanistan.