Obama to meet with rig victims' families

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WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with family members of the 11 workers who died in April's oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, the White House said.

Obama sent letters to the families, extending the invitation to the private gathering Thursday and sharing his sympathy for their loss, the White House said.

Obama also will meet with party leaders from the House and Senate to review the upcoming work period, the economy and the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the White House said.

Obama also will meet with Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa,., denied another term in last month's Pennsylvania Democratic primary.

A meeting with business leaders and energy experts to discuss energy reform also was on Obama's agenda, as were daily briefings and an update on the oil spill.