Obama, Iraqi prime minister to meet next week

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will meet at the White House next week with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

A statement announcing next Wednesday's visit says the countries are "close partners" in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.

Iraqi forces recently assumed responsibility for security in major cities after U.S. combat troops withdrew from towns and cities on June 30. The withdrawal was negotiated under a security pact between the two countries that took effect Jan. 1.

Some 130,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, but they now have a lower profile.

All American forces are to leave the country by Dec. 31, 2011.

The White House says Obama looks forward to the consultations with al-Maliki.