Biden gives 'unwavering support' to Brazil's Lula in phone call

By Rabia İclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden spoke by phone Monday with Brazil's recently elected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during which he conveyed America's "unwavering support" for "Brazil’s democracy" and for the "free will of the Brazilian people" as expressed in the country’s presidential elections last October.

During the call, Biden condemned "the violence and the attack on democratic institutions and on the peaceful transfer of power," the White House said in a statement.

"The two leaders pledged to work closely together on the issues confronting the United States and Brazil, including climate change, economic development and peace and security," the statement said.

Biden invited his Brazilian counterpart to visit Washington, D.C. in early February and Lula accepted the invitation, according to the White House statement.

The phone call came a day after hundreds of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked the legislative chambers of the National Congress in the capital Brasilia as well as the Planalto Palace, or President's office, and the Supreme Federal Court while shouting slogans and demanding intervention by the army.

Security forces managed to regain control later Sunday, with Lula decreeing a federal intervention allowing the armed forces to contain Bolsonaro supporters.