President Barack Obama arrived in Malaysia today for economic and security talks with Prime Minister Najib Razak. He is the first US president to visit the country since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966.

Obama's two-day visit marks the third stop in his four nation tour of Asia, following Japan and South Korea. The long-awaited trip was scheduled for last autumn, but was postponed due to the government shutdown. (Man, remember the government shutdown?) According to the AP, the visit will include a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Razak, during which Obama is expected to discuss trade, defense, and maritime security, and a town hall-style forum with the region's young leaders.

In an interview with the Malaysian newspaper The Star, published ahead of his visit, Obama explained the main message of his visit, saying, "I see my visit as an opportunity to formalize a comprehensive partnership, and lay the foundation for even closer ties for years to come."

[Photo credit: AP]