Washington - President-elect Barack Obama plans to meet with his former rival John McCain next week to discuss the transition phase, Obama's office said Friday.

McCain, an Arizona senator, is likely to remain a key Republican figure in Congress in the new year despite his failed presidential bid.

Though McCain and Obama ran a tense and at times nasty election campaign over the summer, McCain has pledged to work with an Obama administration to help bring the country out of a series of domestic and international crises.

The two leaders will meet at Obama's Chicago headquarters on Monday.

"It's well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality," Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said. (dpa)