Obama, Iraqi prime minister to meet ahead of U.S. troop drawdown
President Barack Obama will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday as the United States prepares to withdraw virtually all of its troops from Iraq by December 31.
The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the Oval Office on Monday morning before holding a press conference. Afterward, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and al-Maliki will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
As of Monday, 6,000 U.S. troops and four military bases remained in Iraq, according to Col. Barry Johnson, spokesman for the United States Forces in Iraq.