WASHINGTON, Oct 8, 2008 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday discussed efforts to stem the worldwide financial crisis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the White House said.

Bush telephoned Merkel 'to discuss the various measures that the United States is taking to bring stability to the markets, as well as the importance for all countries to work together to coordinate our actions to address problems facing the global economy,' said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

'The president also returned a call to President Lula on the same topic,' she said in a brief statement that offered no further details.