WASHINGTON - BRITISH Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to visit US President Barack Obama on March 3, in his first visit to Washington since Mr Obama took office, the White House said on Saturday.

The pair 'will discuss a range of issues, including the global financial crisis, the April economic summit in London, a comprehensive strategy in Afghanistan and the upcoming 60th anniversary Nato summit in Strasbourg-Kehl,' White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

'The United States and the United Kingdom share a special partnership, and the President looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister to address common global challenges.'

On Tuesday, Mr Obama is to host Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Mr Obama's inauguration last month.

Mr Obama made his first foreign trip as president when he visited Canada on Thursday. -- AFP