Northern Ireland First Minister Rev Ian Paisley and deputy Martin McGuinness are to meet President George W. Bush at the White House next month, it was confirmed today.
Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness are also expected to meet leading politicians in Washington during their week-long visit and will travel to New York. It will be their first joint visit to the United States.
The White House said the meeting with Mr Bush would take place on December 7th and welcomed the two men's efforts to forge a new Northern Ireland.
"The president looks forward to congratulating the two leaders on overcoming years of violent conflict, and for taking the historic path toward a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland," a White House statement said.
Powersharing was restored in Northern Ireland in May.