CHICAGO - PRESIDENT-ELECT Barack Obama's transition office says the Democrat will meet with vanquished Republican rival John McCain on Monday.

In announcing the meeting, Obama spokesman Stephanie Cutter said the pair will 'discuss ways to work together' to improve the quality of government and services to the people.

Ms Cutter also said the two will be joined at Mr Obama's Chicago transition office by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a McCain confidant, and Rep Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois Democrat whom Mr Obama has chosen to be his White House chief of staff. -- AP