BOSTON - PRESIDENT Barack Obama will meet Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew next week, the White House said on Friday, as the US leader gears up for his first official visit to Asia.

Mr Obama will host Mr Lee, who now serves as Minister Mentor, at the White House on Thursday, Obama deputy spokesman Bill Burton said on Air Force One.

The US president will leave for Asia on Nov 11, on a tour which includes the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and a meeting with leaders of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore.

Mr Obama will also visit China, South Korea and Japan on the eight-day trip.