Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in his first trip outside the Middle East since forming his ethnically-mixed government two months ago, is expected to meet his British counterpart Tony Blair on Monday.

The two leaders are expected to examine plans on continuing the handover of southern Iraqi provinces from the US-led coalition forces to local authorities by the end of this year, said Blair's office.
 
They will also discuss the issue of "Israeli raids on Lebanon and their negative influence on the region," said a statement issued by the Iraqi government.

Later this week al-Maliki will leave London for Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush.

Both the British and Iraqi governments did not give information on when the Iraqi leader will leave London.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2006)