dilma_rousseff_web.jpgWASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama has telephoned his congratulations to Dilma Rousseff, the president-elect of Brazil.

Rousseff captured 55 percent of votes in Sunday's election to succeed Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The White House says Obama telephoned the 62-year-old Rousseff, who was jailed and tortured for three years in the early 1970s for fighting against Brazil's dictatorship, to congratulate her on her victory.

Obama told Rousseff in his call Monday that the U.S. and Brazil have an excellent working relationship and that he looks forward to meeting with her soon.

Rousseff will become Brazil's first female president when she is sworn into office on Jan. 1.