Novice lends veterans his ears

Washington: President-elect Barack Obama lunched at the White House with the current chief executive and three former presidents, a symbolic show of support that Obama said provided "advice, good counsel and fellowship".

Before the rare meeting on Wednesday - the first such in the executive mansion since 1981 - Obama told Americans that reforming massive government entitlement programmes would be "a central part" of his effort to control federal spending, even as he pushes Cong-ress to appropriate hundreds of billions of dollars to jolt the crumbling economy.

At the gathering less than two weeks before Obama's inauguration, the president-elect stood for photos flanked by former President George H.W. Bush on one side and his son, President George W. Bush, on the other. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, both smiling broadly, stood with them.

"I just want to thank the president for hosting us," Obama said.

Pressures, possibilities

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," said Obama, who takes office January 20. "For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary."

During the brief photo opportunity, the current president wished Obama well before all five men headed to a private lunch that lasted about 90 minutes.

"One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country," Bush said.

"All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual." Bush and Obama also met privately for roughly 30 minutes in the Oval Office before the lunch. Details of the one-on-one meeting, coming just 13 days before Obama's inauguration, were not revealed although they were expected to focus on grim current events - the war in the Gaza Strip and the crippled US economy.

And all parties were determined to keep details of what was discussed at the lunch confidential.

Describing the gathering in only broad terms, Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs said: "The president and the former presidents had helpful advice on managing the office, as well as thoughts on the critical issues facing the country right now. The president-elect is anxious to stay in touch with all of them in the coming years."