The White House on Sunday expressed hope that a new government will be formed quickly in Greece following the parliamentary elections to confront the economic challenges facing the country.

While extending congratulations to the Greek people for conducting a second round of parliamentary elections "in this difficult time," White House spokesman Jay Carney said "We hope this election will lead quickly to the formation of a new government that can make timely progress on the economic challenges facing the Greek people."

"As President (Barack) Obama and other world leaders have said, we believe that it is in all our interests for Greece to remain in the euro area while respecting its commitment to reform," Carney said in a statement.

The polls in Greece, the second round in six weeks, were seen as a referendum on bailout deals and the debt-laden country's fate in the eurozone.

The eurozone sovereign debt crisis is a top concern of the Obama administration as the contagion is spreading, while both job creation and economic growth is anemic in the United States in an election year.

"Going forward, we will engage Greece in the spirit of partnership that has guided our alliance and the friendship between our people," Carney said.