Zardari to meet Obama during his Washington visit

United States President Barack Obama would meet his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari at the White House in WashinGton, DC on Friday and hold talks on issues of bilateral importance including combating terrorism.

Zardari is on his way to expected to attend a memorial ceremony for the late Richard Holbrooke, Obama's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan who died last month at age 69.

"President Obama will meet with President Zardari of Pakistan here at the White House tomorrow," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs mediapersons at his daily news conference on Thursday.

"The two leaders will discuss aspects of the US- Pakistan strategic partnership, including our mutual commitment to economic reform, support for democracy and good governance, and joint efforts to combat terrorism," Gibbs said.

Zardari is already scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his visit. "He's in town for Holbrooke's service, and we thought it was a good opportunity to add a meeting with President Zardari," Gibbs said, adding that the meeting would be closed for the press.

Besides Obama and Clinton, Zardari would also be meeting several other lawmakers on issues related to the war against terrorism and the bilateral relationship.

Zardari's US trip comes immediately after the Islamabad visit of US Vice President Joe Biden early this week. Zardari left for the US from Islamabad today to attend the memorial service for Holbrooke.