WASHINGTON — The spotlight returns to Iraq and other problem areas of the Middle East as President Bush heads to the United Nations to address a host of global issues facing his administration.

The president's three-day trip includes bilateral meetings with six foreign leaders, including the presidents of Iraq and the Palestinian Authority, and a speech to the U.N. General Assembly that will focus on his vision for the Middle East.

Bush was to spend his first day meeting with leaders of Malaysia, a democracy with a moderate Islamic government; El Salvador and Honduras, two Central American nations that have moved from military dictatorships to democracies; and the emerging African democracy of Tanzania.

More closely watched will be meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning with French President Jacques Chirac, the only other member of the coalition of nations working with the U.S. to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber on a bicycle attacked Canadian troops handing out candy to children in southern Afghanistan on Monday, an Afghan official said. A NATO spokesman said the blast killed four soldiers.The blast in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district happened a day after NATO declared an end to a two-week offensive aimed at driving Taliban militants out of safe havens in the same area. More than 500 insurgents were reported killed in the operation, which NATO described as a success despite continuing violence in the south.An Afghan police official said a suicide attacker on a bicycle attacked Canadian troops while they were distributing candy to children.

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi army's 4th division took over operational control of central Salahuddin province today from the U.S.-led coalition, the government said.It was the second of Iraq's 10 divisions to come under direct Iraqi control since Sept. 7, when coalition forces handed over control of Iraq's armed forces command to the government. Despite the handover, nearly all the country's troops remain under American control.On Sept. 7, coalition forces handed over control of Iraq's armed forces command to the government.The Iraqi army is made up of ten divisions, now numbering about 130,000 troops, and the Iraqis are expected to take over more divisions from the coalition in the coming months although there is no exact timetable.