Akhir 12, 1432 H/March 17, 2011, SPA -- US President Barack Obama continued an annual tradition by welcoming Ireland's new prime minister, Enda Kenny, to the White House on Thursday for St Patrick's Day, according to dpa. Kenny, who led his Fine Gael party to an historic election victory in February, used the opportunity to declare that "Ireland is open for business," despite the country's ongoing financial woes. Obama said the visit "reaffirmed" the long-running ties between Ireland and the United States. "There is just an incredible bond between our two countries," Obama said. The US president also thanked Ireland for its role in the war in Afghanistan and for helping the world address a global food crisis.
