United Nations, July 11: The need for US-led peacekeepers in Liberia, Iraq, Congo and major issues facing the African continent are expected to figure in talks UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will have with US President George W Bush during their meeting in Washington on Monday. The situation in the Middle East is also likely to come up during the talks.

United Nations under secretary general for political Affairs Kieran Prendergast will accompany Annan at the meeting at the white house which has been requested by the Secretary-General.

UN spokeswoman Hua Jiang said Annan would also meet with leading US Congressmen and Bush's senior advisers during the visit which comes immediately after the two return after a tour of Africa. "This is a good time for them to compare notes since both of them will by then have just finished a trip to Africa,'' Hua said yesterday.

The situation is Liberia, officials say, is serious and fear fighting could break out as rebels fighting President Charles are on the outskirts of Liberian capital Monrovia. The country is witnessing an uneasy ceasefire, they say.

President Bush, during his visit to Africa, had said that the United States would remain involved in Liberia but did not promise American troops.

An American team has been sent to Liberia to study the situation and its report is likely to influence any decision level of involvement taken by the White House. Bush is insisting that Taylor step down as President of Liberia which was founded by freed African American slaves about 150 years ago.

Bureau Report