London - US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met for talks in London Monday expected to be dominated by reported differences over the timing of troop withdrawals from Iraq.

Reports said Bush was expected to press Brown to delay any plans to pull out the remaining 4,000 British troops from Iraq until the security situation had improved significantly, and to work in tandem with the US.

The situation in Afghanistan and the global crisis over food and fuel prices were also on the agenda.

Before the talks, Bush posed for photographs on the steps of Downing Street with Brown's two sons, John, aged 4, and Fraser, who will be 2 next month.

Ahead of the meeting, Bush had talks over breakfast with Tony Blair, the former prime minister, to discuss the progress being made in efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

Blair, a former close ally of Bush, became special envoy of the so-called Middle East Quartet when he stepped down as prime minister a year ago.

Bush and Brown had a private dinner at Downing Street Sunday, which followed tea for the US president and his wife, Laura, with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

Some 2,500 anti-war protestors made clear their opposition to Bush in a demonstration in central London Sunday. Police said 25 people were arrested, and three were charged, following minor scuffles with the police during which 10 officers were slightly injured.

Bush is due to complete his farewell trip to Britain with a visit to Northern Ireland later Monday, where he will meet with leaders of the power-sharing regional government. (dpa)