Maliki, Obama to meet at White House

WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is scheduled to visit U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next week, the White House said Wednesday.

"The United States and Iraq enjoy a close relationship and are partners in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq through the responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces and the encouragement of new ties in trade, commerce, culture and education," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

The two leaders plan to meet next Wednesday.

"The president looks forward to consulting with the prime minister on a broad agenda of issues of mutual concern," Gibbs said.