Biden to speak with Macron after failing to reach him

US President Joe Biden said he'd be talking with newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron on Monday after a first attempt to get through failed because the French leader was out celebrating.

"I tried to talk to him last night. I spoke to his staff and he was at the Eiffel Tower having a good time," Biden told reporters. "I'm going to be talking to him today."

Biden said "I feel good about the French election" in which his close ally saw off a challenge from far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

In his first reaction on Sunday, Biden said in a statement that France is a "key partner" and the two countries will continue their "close cooperation, including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change."