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Obama will be the European Leaders Meet in Prague 11

WASHINGTON (AFP) - U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with 11 leaders from eastern and central Europe when he malakukan trip to Prague next week for the signing ceremony of a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia, a U.S. official said Friday.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs explained the meeting would take place in the capital of Czech Republic during its visit to the signing on 8 April, an important agreement to reduce nuclear warheads and replacing the START I treaty - which had expired last December.

The White House did not specifically mention which leader will take part in the meeting, formal dinner after the signing of the nuclear agreement, but Gibb declared NATO allies will be included.

Obama will arrive in Prague on Thursday morning, taking part in an official signing ceremony of the new agreement, then held a ceremonial lunch with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

He also will hold a separate meeting with Medvedev.

On Friday, he will hold a summit meeting with Czech Prime Minister Klaus and Fischer in January, before returning to Washington.