The leader of newly-independent South Sudan is due to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Barack Obama.

President Salva Kiir is one of six foreign leaders Mr. Obama will meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

The White House says the meeting will mark South Sudan's progress from conflict to independence. It split from Sudan in July, six years after a long civil war.

President Obama was one of the first world leaders to recognize the new nation after it declared independence on July 9.

President Kiir is no stranger to meeting with U.S. presidents. President George W. Bush welcomed Mr. Kiir to the White House on three separate occasions during Mr. Bush's second term.