WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush will host the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for a farewell lunch at the White House, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said on Friday.

    During their meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Bush and Ban "will discuss the future of the United Nations and the challenges that remain, such as UN reform, the Middle East, Burma, Somalia, and peacekeeping in Darfur," said Johndroe.

    Bush, who is due to leave the White House on Jan. 20 after his eight-year presidency, will stress the need for a United Nations "that can act effectively to promote freedom, democratic governance, human rights, and a world free from terror," the spokesman added.