(CNN) - Australia's new prime minister pledged her commitment to the war in Afghanistan during a phone call with President Obama, the two leaders said.

"I assured President Obama that my approach to Afghanistan will continue the approach taken to date by the Australian government," said Julia Gillard, Australia's new prime minister, on Friday. "I fully support the current deployment and I indicated to President Obama that he should expect to see the Australian effort in Afghanistan continuing."

Julia Gillard, 48, was elected Thursday as Australia's first female prime minister. Obama called her Thursday night to congratulate her.

During the talk, Obama and Gillard "underscored their shared commitment to closely work together on the broad range of global challenges confronting both countries, including in Afghanistan," the White House statement said.

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