Barack Obama phoned Tony Abbott to thank him for global leadership

Barack Obama phoned Tony Abbott to commend the former PM for his ‘global leadership’ in the fight against terror.

US President Barack Obama called Tony Abbott to thank the former Pm for his ‘global leadership’.

Barack Obama has called Tony Abbott to offer his thanks to the former Australian Prime Minister and commended him for his “global leadership” in the fight against Islamic State (Daesh) in Syria and Iraq.

The US President called Mr Abbott this morning to speak to him about his loss of office.

Mr Obama wished Mr Abbott well and thanked him for his co-operation.

The news came as Australia announced its first successful air strike in Syria.

Mr Obama particularly made a point of thanking Mr Abbott for his support for the US-led coalition fighting in Iraq and Syria and commended his “global leadership” in the fight against Daesh.

Other world leaders have been contacting Mr Abbott including British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key.

Former US vice-president Al Gore yesterday said a new prime minister gave Australia the chance to take leadership on international climate change.

“New PM offers fresh opportunity for Australia to stand beside the US and China in a leadership position going into #COP21,” Mr Gore tweeted, after the Liberal party room voted to replace Mr Abbott with Mr Turnbull.

Mr Abbott had been criticised for a lack of action on climate change by world leaders in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, which kicks off on November 30.

Additional reporting: AAP