Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell says Gates urged both leaders to avoid a repetition of the "painful memory" of the five-month government formation process in 2005.

VOA: standard.2009.12.12

We have a first-rate Embassy team, now led by Ambassador Jim Jeffrey, that is interacting daily with the Iraqis throughout the government formation process.

WHITEHOUSE: An Obligation to Those Who Serve

U.S. and Israeli officials said the trip would take place after the formation of a new Israeli government, a process that could take weeks.

WSJ: Obama to Visit Israel, West Bank