The US forces will complete their withdrawal from that Middle Eastern nation at the end of this month.

The White House says the two leaders held talks on efforts to "start a new chapter" in their strategic partnership.

Mr. Maliki arrived in Washington on December 11 and was expected for dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  He also is expected to hold talks with Vice President Joe Biden during his two-day visit.

About 7,000 US troops remain in Iraq, more than eight years after invading the country to oust then-dictator Saddam Hussein.