WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at the White House on July 22, the White House announced on Wednesday.

    "The United States and Iraq enjoy a close relationship and are partners in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq through the responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces and the encouragement of new ties in trade, commerce, culture and education," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

    The scheduled visit by Maliki occurs when the Obama administration has decided to draw down forces in Iraq and put an end to U.S. combat operations in the country by Aug. 31, 2010.

    Obama made a surprise visit to Iraq in early April. His deputy Joe Biden visited Baghdad at the beginning of this month, to discuss with Iraqi leaders the future of the American mission in Iraq.