House and Senate leaders from both parties will meet privately with President Bush on Thursday morning to hear how the administration plans to hand over power to a new Iraqi government next week. [IMGCAP(1)]

The bicameral, bipartisan session at the White House comes in advance of House consideration of a resolution on the transfer of power in Iraq. The measure is expected to be bipartisan.

“We surely appreciate interest in keeping us informed and part of the process and we understand that this is going to be a critical time and difficult stretch,” said one House Republican leadership aide.

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he hoped the president would say he’s working to garner “greater cooperation from our international partners” as the United States works through the transition.

“We’re all hopeful the transition in fact leaders to a more stable, less terror-prone Iraq and an environment less dangerous to the troops and our civilians there trying to help the Iraqis,” he said.

— Erin P. Billings