CHICAGO - President-elect Barack Obama spoke to nine world leaders Thursday, returning their congratulatory calls.

An Obama spokeswoman said he returned the calls to thank the leaders for having called him earlier this week.

Mr. Obama spoke to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel, Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan, President Felipe Calderon of Mexico, President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea and U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times.

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