WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama welcomed the "historic step forward" of a democratic transfer of power to a civilian-led government in Myanmar, the White House said Wednesday.

Obama spoke by phone on Wednesday with U Htin Kyaw to offer congratulations on his inauguration as Myanmar's President, the White House said in a statement.

U Htin Kyaw of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, was sworn in in late March as Myanmar's new president.

Obama underscored the commitment of the United States to support the people and government of Myanmar as they work to achieve a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future, according to the statement.

On Wednesday, Obama also spoke by phone with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and commended her "determined efforts, over the course of many years and at great personal cost, to achieve a peaceful transfer of power and advance national reconciliation."

Aung San Suu Kyi concurrently heads three other ministries, namely the Ministry of President Office, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.