Washington - US President George W Bush met Wednesday with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani as the two countries work to finalize an agreement establishing a legal basis for the presence of US forces.

Bush has sought the deal as to replace the UN mandate set to expire at the end of the year, but the two sides have been bogged down in disagreement over withdrawal timelines and Washington's demand that US troops retain immunity from Iraqi criminal prosecution.

Talabani said that the US and Iraqi governments are working toward "finalizing the strategic framework agreement between United States and Iraq."

The United States regularly negotiates status of forces agreements with countries who host the US military. (dpa)