Copenhagen, Dec 19 - US President Barack Obama was set to leave a climate change conference in Copenhagen imminently, diplomats said Friday.

The departure of the US president would signal the likely collapse of United Nations talks aimed at slowing global warming.

Obama had spent the afternoon in intensive talks with top leaders, including Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and European heavyweights.

The White House had announced a "media availability" prior to Obama's departure. (dpa)